Shakira: Arizona's immigrant law is inhuman

Colombian singer Shakira visited Phoenix, Arizona, to question a new law seen as the toughest yet on illegal immigrants.

Police could question people even if there is no reason to suspect they are immigrants.

President Obama has questioned the legality of the law, which makes it a crime to be in the US illegally.

Shakira, who had international pop hits with Hips Don't Lie and She-Wolf, but has become active in political and social issues, said: "It is unjust and it's inhuman, and it violates the civil and human rights of the Latino community.

"I'm not an expert on the constitution but I know the constitution exists for a reason. It exists to protect human beings, to protect the rights of people living in a nation with or without documents. We're talking about human beings here."

She spoke to a crowd ofa few hundred community workers, telling them she could be arrested since she did not bring her driving licence to Arizona. Shakira also sought to meet Arizona's Republican governor, Jim Brewer, but was told his schedule was busy.

Supporters of the law say it frees police to tackle act and is necessary to protect Arizonans, while opponents say it will lead to racial profiling.