ACLU warns travelers to Arizona

NEW YORK, July 1 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union Thursday issued a travel alert for Arizona over the July 4th weekend and informed people of their rights.

Dozens of ACLU affiliates expressed concern that Arizona authorities may begin enforcing the state's new immigration law and begin stopping people over the long holiday weekend.

"Although the law will not take effect until 29 July, the ACLU is concerned that some members of law enforcement have begun to implement certain provisions of the law," the ACLU said in a release.

The ACLU said there is a history of widespread racial discrimination by authorities in Arizona -- especially in Maricopa County -- and a de facto anti-immigrant policy by Arizona lawmakers.

"The branches across the country are issuing this warning because it is essential that people have clear rights before traveling to Arizona," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero. The ACLU and other civil rights organizations are challenging the Arizona law in court.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said last month the state's new immigration law is needed to halt the flow of people illegally entering from Mexico but that it does not target a person's ethnicity.

"If you didn't have proof of citizenship and the police officer had reasonable suspicion, he would ask and verify your citizenship," she said.