Other articles by Daniel Scarpinato:

Dems' dreams go down in flames Giffords, Grijalva seek $5B for new entry ports Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Obama's inaugural to include AZ flavor Grijalva, Giffords frequently part ways Lawmakers to hand out gold: Obama- event tickets City's vote on gay marriage Giffords' clear win raises question: What's it mean? Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Napolitano is mum on attorney general talk Governor won't talk about the Cabinet Observers don't see McCain riding into sunset

Education
Yavapai College
Teachers Technical
Yavapai College
Analyst Banner Programmer Retail
TOTAL WINE & MORE
WINE TEAM MEMBERS, CASHIER & STOCK MEMEBERS Health Care
SOUTHERN ARIZONA ENDODONTICS I
NSURANCE PROCESSOR General
Prestige Maintenance USA
Area Manager Health Care
Carondelet Foothills Surgery
Pre-Op Nurse General
GROUNDS CONTROL
LANDCAPE FOREMAN & LABORERS

PHOENIX — Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson said during a Thursday visit here that he supports allowing state and local authorities to enforce federal immigration laws.

"I think in cooperation with the federal authorities," he said in response to a question about whether he supported such a move. "I've been to places where they're working hand in glove."

Thompson said he did not think local law officers enforcing federal law would lead to racial profiling.

In addition, Thompson said while he did not know the specifics of Arizona's employer sanctions law, he generally supports the idea of cracking down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

"If we don't have the cooperation of employers then we're not going to get the job done," he said.

Thompson made his remarks during a five-minute session with reporters after a private fundraiser at a Phoenix hotel.

A survey in October found that statewide, 46 percent of those polled were in favor of having local police detain those here illegally, with 50 percent saying they oppose the idea.

In Tucson, a student and his family were deported this month after school officials found marijuana in his backpack and called Tucson police, who notified the Border Patrol after determining that the family was here illegally.

Thompson, who on Wednesday participated in a Republican debate, said it's difficult to talk in depth about issues on the campaign trail.

"A presidential campaign, as it turns out, is not the best way in the world to discuss serious issues," he said. "These debates are part of it. It's more practiced sound bites than anything else."

A November statewide poll found Thompson garnering the support of 10 percent of Republicans, fourth in the GOP field.