Arizona has it right on immigration, Republican gubernatorial candidates Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert said Wednesday.

The new Arizona law makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally and authorizes police officers to ask people for proof of citizenship and hand illegal immigrants over to federal enforcers.

On Minnesota Public Radio, Seifert and Emmer said the contraversial law moves in the right direction.

"Illegals cost all of us," Emmer said. "I think what Arizona did was a wonderful first step."

Seifert said the law may serve as a blueprint for his administration.

"There's Oklahoma, there's Arizona, there are a number of states that we are take, going to model legislation, try to pattern it," Seifert said. Seifert Wednesday released an immigration policy paper, which doesn't go as far as the Arizona law but does say Minnesota should, "work with the federal I.C.E. department to ensure that deportation takes place when illegal immigrants are apprehended." The position paper is one of a series he has released.

Emmer and Seifert are leading candidate for Friday's Republican party endorsement. Both have pledged to drop out if they're not endorsed.

The man they seek to replace isn't so sure about the Arizona law.

"We need to be thoughtful about this. You need to make sure it is a fair and balanced approach," Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said during an appearance at a Los Angeles conference Tuesday evening.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is sure about the new law — he thinks its wrong.

"This law sets a dangerous example for the rest of the country," he said. He banned any city-paid travel to Arizona.