Originally Posted by dippin

More precisely, you do understand that the Arizona law talks about checking immigration status in any "lawful contact," right? And that as such, it applies to a range of issues that are far broader than being under arrest or suspected of a crime, right?

The issue with the law is precisely that LEOs can pretty much decide to check one's immigration status for almost any reason whatsoever. It goes well beyond traffic violations, too. A LEO can ask a question of anyone, at any time, and while the person doesn't have to respond, that in and by itself already constitutes lawful contact.