SB 1070 Responses

Link to S.B. 1070 (PDF) | Fact Sheet for S.B. 1070

Latest S.B. 1070 News

Supreme Court official ruling can be read here.

Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau

June 2012

Tucson is a welcoming community that hosts tens of thousands of visitors annually from Mexico, Canada, western Europe and beyond. The U.S. Supreme Court's rulings on Arizona's immigration law will not diminish the outstanding experience visitors from around the world can expect to have in southern Arizona.

In May 2010, Tucson became the first city in Arizona to approve a legal challenge to the state's new immigration law. This law, referred to by many as Senate Bill 1070, has not been enforced and has been tied up in court proceedings the past two years.

Tucson will approach enforcement of Arizona's immigration law with great care and after much discussion and training. Tucson is a vibrant city with a rich culture that dates back thousands of years-a culture that has been enriched by inhabitants of every creed and color.

Tucson is the only city in Arizona with visitor centers in two Mexican cities-Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregon. Approximately 7,000 Tucson hotel room nights have been booked during the past 12 months by customers at these visitor centers, while thousands of additional Mexican visitors come to Tucson annually to shop, stay and play.

We at the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau (MTCVB) look forward to partnering with the City of Tucson, Pima County and approximately 500 local, tourism-related, MTCVB partner businesses to continue delivering "The Real Southwest" experience to visitors from throughout the world.

Brent DeRaad
President/CEO Metro Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Contact: Jessica Stephens or 520-770-2143

Source: Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau

Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association

June 2012

The Supreme Court has made their ruling and as a state we move forward. More than 200,000 Arizona residents rely on the visitor industry for their livelihoods and, while we support a healthy debate on immigration reform, our focus will remain on promoting the endless positive experiences that Arizona provides for almost 40 million national and international visitors annually. We remain one of the world's premier destinations offering visitors an experience of unparalleled beauty, geographical and cultural diversity and exceptional service. We invite you to visit Arizona for yourself and make your own ruling.

Debbie Johnson
President/CEO, Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association
Contact: kjarnagin@azhla.com

Source: Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association

Arizona Office of Tourism

June 2012

As you know, the Supreme Court announced its decision regarding SB 1070. The ruling does not change what documents people use to travel to or throughout Arizona. Our state is no different than any other state that requires some form of valid identification when traveling. However, we saw this as an important opportunity to help clarify any concerns Arizona travelers may have about travel documents.

Below, we have briefly outlined what has been upheld by the Court:

Arizona police officers can make a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained or arrested if there's reasonable suspicion that a person is in the U.S. illegally.

According to Governor Jan Brewer, "The case for SB 1070 has always been about our support for the rule of law. That means every law, including those against both illegal immigration and racial profiling. Law enforcement will be held accountable should this statute be misused in a fashion that violates an individual's civil rights."

We are doing what we can to minimize travelers' confusion and taking steps to inform them that questions regarding citizenship will only be asked as a result of any violation of Arizona state law.

Having stated that, we understand many travelers want to know what is concerned to be "acceptable" forms of identification for proof of citizenship. Below is a list of acceptable identification as it pertains to travel.

Acceptable:
• U.S. Passport
• Military DD-214
• Military Dependent Identification Card
• Visa
• Green Card
• Birth Certificate
• Any U.S. State or Government Identification Card (i.e. Driver's License)
• Tribal Identification Card

There are states that do not use a Driver's License as proof of citizenship: New Mexico, Illinois and Utah. The state of Washington accepts an enhanced form of Driver's License as proof. Travelers should check with their state's MVD office to determine if their state's Driver's License is proof of citizenship.

Additionally, the ruling does not change how we promote Arizona. Each year, millions of visitors experience Arizona as a vibrant and diverse travel destination. The Grand Canyon State is one of the most welcoming and states in the nation with exciting outdoor adventures, fun-family activities, captivating arts & culture, rejuvenating resorts and spas, exquisite local cuisines, and a variety of shopping opportunities.

As one of the most unique destinations in the world, Arizona is not a place to just visit; it's a place to experience. This is the message we will continue to tout across the globe.

For information regarding travel to and around Arizona, visit aztravelfacts.com.

For information regarding the state policy, contact the Governor's Office.

Sherry Henry
Director, Arizona Office of Tourism