New York - A controversial new immigration law in Arizona has fanned public furor over its perceived anti-Latino aspects, but increasing arrests of Chinese illegal immigrants has brought the issue to Asian communities.

"The Arizona law is an affront to all people of color and all Americans, and especially people of color who have been subjected to racial profiling," said Norman Eng, spokesperson for the New York Immigration Coalition. "Chinese people are no strangers to that."

The act requires law enforcement to request immigration papers from anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. It has been denounced by politicians and advocacy groups as racist and unconstitutional.