AZ governor gets bill targeting drop house providers
Associated Press
May 5, 2008 4:54 PM ET
PHOENIX (AP) – A bill headed to the governor would make it a crime in Arizona to help provide locations for use as drop houses for smugglers to temporarily house illegal immigrants.
A 51-0 vote by the House on Monday endorses a Senate-passed version of the bill previously approved by the House, sending it to Gov. Janet Napolitano.
The bill would make it a mid-tier felony for people to lease or sell homes that the owner or agent knows will be used as drop houses. Those are usually vacant properties where smugglers stash immigrants while awaiting payment.
Under the bill, owners or rental agents have a defense if they make reports to law enforcement once they find out a home is being used as a drop house.
