Columbus mayor bans city travel to Arizona

COLUMBUS (AP) — The mayor of Columbus will no longer allow workers to travel to Arizona on city business in response to the state’s new law targeting illegal immigration.

Spokesman Dan Williamson said today that Mayor Michael Coleman will not approve any travel to Arizona because he “agrees with those who want to send a message ... that this is not the American way.”

Williamson says the order was issued at a recent meeting with city department heads.

The new Arizona law requires police enforcing another law to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are in the country illegally.

Several other cities have passed resolutions or urged boycotts to protest the law, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, and Austin, Texas.