to our struggle. >> reporter: by an illinois congressman who calls it profiling. >> look at my face. listen to my voice. i'd probably get picked up in arizona and questioned. is that what we want in america? >> reporter: but arizona sheriffs who travel to washington, d.c., say it's exactly what they need. >> i'm telling you that most sheriffs, i wouldn't dare to speak for anybody else, but most of us in law enforcement welcome this legislation. >> reporter: that legislation allows, even encourages, local law enforcement officers in arizona to check the immigration status of anyone they have a reasonable suspicion is in the country illegally. it also makes lacking proper papers a state crime and allows citizens to sue state officials who don't comply. arizona state senator russell pierce, a former sheriff's deputy sponsored the law. >> we'll take the handcuffs off of law enforcement and we'll put them on the band guy. illegal is not a race, it's a crime. >> reporter: opponents say bill number 1070 which awaits