In wake of ruling on Arizona immigration law, revision likely for similar Pa. bill

A Pennsylvania lawmaker says a bill he’s introduced in the state House could be revised after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Arizona’s immigration law.

The court struck down several sections of the Arizona law, while upholding its controversial centerpiece — a requirement that local law enforcement check the immigration status of people they stop if they appear likely to be illegal immigrants.

In Pennsylvania, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe has introduced a bill modeled on the Arizona statute.

“We’ll be looking at the decision thoroughly this summer and reviewing how our legislation is drafted and making amendments accordingly to ensure that we can move forward with a piece of legislation that we believe would be constitutionally sound,” said Metcalfe, R-Butler.

Metcalfe said he is particularly concerned with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh rules that — he argued — discourage police from investigating immigration status.

Metcalfe supported another bill, requiring applicants for public benefits to produce proof of citizenship, which passed the Pennsylvania House last week.

Correction 6/28/12 11 a.m.

This story has been updated to reflect the fact that Philadelphia does share information with federal officials as part to the Secure Communities program.