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In a move aimed at addressing the ongoing immigration debate in Arizona, Governor John Smith announced a new immigration policy today that seeks to streamline the process for undocumented immigrants seeking legal status in the state.Under the new policy, undocumented immigrants who have been living in Arizona for at least five years and have not committed any serious crimes will be eligible to apply for a special "Arizona Resident" visa. This visa will allow them to live and work in the state legally for a renewable five-year period.Governor Smith emphasized that the new policy is not a pathway to citizenship, but rather a way to provide undocumented immigrants with a legal status that will allow them to fully integrate into Arizona society. He stated that this approach will help address the economic, social, and humanitarian challenges posed by the current immigration system.The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from both sides of the immigration debate. Supporters of the new policy argue that it will help bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and make them contributing members of society. They also believe that it will help reduce the strain on law enforcement resources caused by the current patchwork of immigration laws.Critics, however, have raised concerns that the policy could encourage more undocumented immigrants to come to Arizona in search of a similar pathway to legal status. They also argue that it does not go far enough in addressing the root causes of illegal immigration, such as border security and enforcement.Governor Smith defended the new policy, stating that it strikes a balance between compassion and enforcement. He emphasized that it is not a blanket amnesty and that all applicants will still need to meet certain requirements and pass a background check in order to qualify for the Arizona Resident visa.Overall, the new immigration policy in Arizona marks a significant departure from the state's previous stance on undocumented immigrants. It remains to be seen how it will be implemented and whether it will have a lasting impact on the immigration debate in the state.