An illegal immigrant anywhere in Arizona would be guilty of a felony under a bill approved by the state House of Representatives.

The bill, approved 32-26 yesterday, had been approved previously by the Senate but now returns to that chamber to consider changes made by the House.

The bill would permit a first-time violator to be turned over to federal authorities, but also states the legislative intent that a repeat offender should be criminally prosecuted.

All 32 yes votes – one more than needed in the 60-member House – came from majority Republicans, while six Republicans joined all 20 Democrats in voting against the bill.

Democratic Rep. Ted Downing of Tucson later predicted that Republicans would experience a backlash. “This will be the rallying cry for every group and kid in the state,” he said.

House Majority Leader Steve Tully, R-Phoenix, said he was voting reluctantly for the bill and hoped that it would be changed by a House-Senate conference committee.

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