immigration verification; public benefits; asylum

SB 1152 requires applicants for Arizona state or local public benefits (such as healthcare or food assistance) to provide specific documents proving lawful U.S. presence, including Arizona driver licenses, birth certificates, or immigration documents. It specifically prohibits individuals with pending asylum applications from receiving benefits until an immigration judge grants asylum. The bill establishes penalties for agency employees who fail to report immigration violations (class 2 misdemeanor) and allows any Arizona resident to sue agencies for noncompliance. Key provisions include requiring sworn affidavits about document accuracy and exempting certain groups like tribal members from standard documentation under federal guidance. This bill directly affects non-citizens applying for public benefits and changes eligibility requirements under Arizona law.