Early action eyed for citizenship measure in Arizona

A lawmaker who will sponsor Arizona legislation targeting automatic citizenship granted to U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants says it should be considered early in the annual session that begins Monday.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Ron Gould plans to sponsor the Senate version of the Arizona legislation that also will be proposed in other states.

The Lake Havasu City Republican says identical legislation will be introduced in the House and Senate for simultaneous consideration. That could allow it to be passed within a month or two — if it has sufficient support and if it moves smoothly through the process.

Gould was among state legislators who participated in a Washington news conference on the legislation on Wednesday.