Stewart jabs Arizona immigration law, ‘pre-insane McCain’

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Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart turned his comedic focus Thursday on Arizona’s controversial immigration and took a shot at Sen. John McCain in the process.

SB 1070 faces stiff competition but it’s supported by McCain (R-AZ) who was once an outspoken champion of rights for undocumented workers.

Stewart explained that this was the “pre-insane McCain” before he was locked into a primary battle with the more conservative J.D. Hayworth.

The law requires that law enforcement officials check the papers of anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally but says they can’t use a person’s ethnicity or appearance alone as grounds for suspecting them.

In a training video produced by Arizona for its law enforcement officials, attorney Beverly Ginn explained the law’s nuance. “An officer can’t make an arrest — you can’t arrest an alien who is authorized to be in the United States simply because they don’t have immigration documents in their possession,” she said.

“All aliens are required to carry their proof of alien registration with them at all times. Any alien in the U.S. who has not obtained proper documentation is subject to detention,” explained correction officer Jesus Renteria.

“So they can’t arrest you for not carrying your papers, but if you don’t have your papers, you can be detained,” said a confused Stewart.

“I guess that’s what is known in Arizona as a catch viente-dos,” he joked.

This video is from Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, broadcast July 7, 2010.