Republicans in the state legislature of Missouri are apparently glowing with envy of the unconstitutional immigration laws administered by Arizona and Alabama, and they are seeking to implement their own version which includes the worst elements of both states' plans.
State Sen. Will Kraus, a Lee’s Summit Republican, is sponsoring a bill that would mandate that all public schools verify the immigration status of enrollees. It also would require law enforcement officers to check immigration status on all stops when they have reasonable cause, and create a state misdemeanor for not carrying proper citizenship documentation.
Alabama's version of "Papers Please" includes a provision that requires schools check the immigration status of their children, however that provision has been blocked by an injunction. The Department of Justice is also pursuing a case against Alabama for other elements of the law.
The chief proponent of Arizona's original version of "Papers Please," Arizona State Senate President Russell Pearce, was recently recalled from office by fellow conservatives for his wingnuttery, and the Supreme Court will soon decided whether SB1070 is constitutional.
In both states these laws have caused economic hardship to non-immigrants and immigrants alike, and have shredded their public image.
Apparently none of this serves as a discouragement for Missouri Republicans, and they've elected to cherry-pick the worst elements of Arizona and Alabama's laws to implement as their own.
(via ThinkProgress)