Statehouse Live: Legislator says Kansas needs illegal immigration law like the Arizona law

? A Kansas legislator early Saturday proposed what he said was an immigration law modeled after the one in Arizona that has sparked a firestorm of controversy.

State Rep. Anthony Brown, R-Eudora, said the Legislature needs to “defend our constitution.”

Brown proposed the measure as an amendment to a state budget bill that had been the focus of House debate for more than 12 hours.

State Rep. Delia Garcia, D-Wichita, challenged whether Brown’s amendment was germane to the appropriations bill. State Rep. Clark Shultz, R-Lindsborg, who is chair of the House Rules and Journal Committee, ruled the amendment was not germane.

Brown then removed his amendment from consideration but said the issue is one the Kansas Legislature needs to consider at some point.

The Arizona law requires police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status during a “lawful stop” if there is “reasonable suspicion” that person may be in the country illegally. Supporters of the law say it is necessary to reduce illegal immigration.

Civil rights advocates have said the law will lead to racial profiling and people being wrongfully arrested.

Outrage over the law has led to protests across the country and a call by some to boycott Arizona. Some Arizona cities have filed lawsuits challenging the law.