The immigration issue has been brewing in Arizona for many years.

Over the past 10 years, the public has expressed growing frustration with a lack of action from the federal government, concern over reports of violence committed by illegal immigrants in Arizona, and support for efforts that attempt to solve the problem.

The new law goes into effect July 29. It makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally and requires law enforcement to question an individual's legal status if an officer has reasonable suspicion the person may be in the country illegally.

Here is a look at how the state got to be where it is today.

Photos by The Arizona Republic and the Associated Press .

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Driver's licenses 1996: The Legislature passes a law requiring proof of citizenship to get a driver's license. Writing the law was Russell Pearce, then the director of the state Motor Vehicle Division.

Chandler roundup 1997: Chandler police and federal agents spend five days rounding up suspected illegal immigrants in downtown neighborhoods. They make 340 arrests, taking some legal residents into custody. City officials later pay $500,000 in legal settlements and spend years apologizing.

Bill for ID at polls 1998: Rep. Tom Smith, R-Phoenix, proposes a bill to require ID be shown at the polls. It fails in the Senate. Another bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote doesn't get out of committee.

Ranchers ask for help 1999: Arizona ranchers ask lawmakers to call on the National Guard to come to the border to suppress an "invasion." Ranchers such as Roger Barnett (in a 1999 photo) were armed and protecting their property. But the effort goes nowhere, beyond some lawmakers reading a proclamation about border violations.

Prop 203 2000: Despite protests, voters endorse a requirement for English immersion in schools, banning bilingual education. It passes 63 percent to 37 percent.

Pearce in office 2001: Pearce begins first term as state representative.During his first year as a lawmaker, Pearce proposed two illegal-immigration-enforcement bills. Both failed. Over the next few years, Pearce's political clout grew, as did his legislative effort to combat illegal immigration.

Sean Pearce shot 2004: Pearce's son Sean, a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputy, is shot and wounded by an illegal immigrant. Russell Pearce in 2005 told The Republic that the shooting did not make him anti-Latino or anti-Mexican. "Those were bad guys," he said. If anything, it made him more passionate about locking up criminals and gang members, no matter the race.

Prop 200 2004: Voters approve Proposition 200, which denies public benefits to people not in the country legally. Passes 56 percent to 44 percent. Also in 2004, moderate Republicans lose in GOP primaries, giving Legislature a more conservative tilt. The number of immigration measures proposed by the Legislature began to escalate in 2006 and 2007, and more of them made it through the GOP-dominated Legislature and onto the governor's desk.

Immigration bill vetoed 2006: Pearce introduces a bill to make it a state crime to be in the country illegally and to allow peace officers to question an individual's immigration status. It also includes measures to restrict employers from hiring illegal immigrants. Gov. Janet Napolitano (in a 2006 photo) vetoes the bill.

Massive march 2006: More than 100,000 march to the state Capitol to support comprehensive immigration reform on the national level. Similar large rallies are held in cities across the U.S. Also in 2006, voters endorse a trio of ballot measures related to illegal immigration, including requiring out-of-state college tuition from Arizona residents who can't prove citizenship and denying bail to illegal immigrants charged with a crime. They also approve a measure that makes English the state's official language. All four ballot measures pass with 70 percent-plus of vote.

Officer killed 2007: Phoenix Officer Nick Erfle is shot and killed by a fugitive who is an illegal immigrant. In May 2010, Erfle's widow, Julie, spoke out against the bill, saying it would not have prevented her husband's death.

Arpaio begins sweeps 2008: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio begins conducting immigration sweeps. Since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in October 2009 stripped Arpaio of an agreement that authorized deputies to perform street-level immigration screenings, the crime-suppression operations have relied on a pair of state laws that target illegal immigrants. Businesses have also been targeted, using Arizona's employer-sanctions law to conduct worksite raids and arrest employees suspected of committing fraud and identity theft.

Officer dies in DUI crash 2008: Phoenix Officer Shane Figueroa dies in a collision with a drunken driver in the country illegally. Like other crimes caused by illegals, it stirred anger. Members of an anti-illegal immigrant group protested outside Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's home after learning the culprit was an illegal immigrant. The members of United for a Sovereign America branded Phoenix a "sanctuary city" despite steps taken by the city earlier this year to ensure more people stopped by police were questioned about their immigration status.

Brewer becomes governor 2009: Republican Jan Brewer ascends to the Governor's Office when Napolitano resigns to join the Obama administration as Homeland Security secretary.

Birth of SB 1070 January 2010: Pearce introduces Senate Bill 1070. In February, SB 1070 passes Senate, 17-13.

Racher's slaying March: The murder of southern Arizona rancher Robert Krentz fueled a nationwide political furor over border violence, security and illegal immigration. His death also became a crucial factor in the debate over and passage of Senate Bill 1070.

Bill becomes law April: After Senate gave final approval to an amended SB 1070, the bill went to Gov. Brewer, who signed it into law. Later that month, three separate lawsuits challenging law's constitutionality are filed in federal court. Other lawsuits would be filed later.

Protests May: Protests in that state and across the U.S. take shape. Al Sharpton is shown at May 5 march in Phoenix wearing a Los Suns jersey. The Suns' decision to wear the jerseys during a game that night caused a controversy of its own. The outcry over Arizona's law has revived talks of national immigration-reform efforts, though the federal government has yet to take action.

Brewer goes to DC June: Brewer has a meeting with Obama to discuss immigration and border-security issues.

Feds challenge law July 6: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder defends a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department against Arizona. The suit lays out why the government believes that immigration laws passed by Congress and enforced by a range of federal agencies must take precedence to any passed by a state Legislature.