Kavanagh said that might be fine if the law were being enforced only by attorneys. But Kavanagh said when police officers look at the language they will read it in a way to restrict their ability to question and detain suspected undocumented people.

Brnovich conceded that it is possible that the actual practices of police officers are different than what the policy states.

But he said the 2016 law requiring his agency to review local laws goes only to what's on paper. And with that as his only legal basis for review, Brnovich told Capitol Media Services he cannot find those policies at fault.

"There is nothing in there that conflicts with SB 1070,'' he said. "Furthermore, if you look at the language, it actually tracks and is consistent with 1070.''

Brnovich said anything outside those words -- including the rhetoric of council members -- is irrelevant.

"They were making an attempt to try to massage this issue a little bit and maybe act as if they were undermining 1070 or whatever,'' he explained.

"They can say whatever they want to say,'' Brnovich continued. "But the reality is the city council took a vote to not become a sanctuary city and the city has adopted policies which are entirely consistent with SB 1070.''

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