IDAHO FALLS, Idaho -- Idaho could soon be following in the footsteps of Arizona's recent illegal immigration law. Meaning immigrants in the Gem State would have to carry proof of citizenship.

"We hear there is going to be legislation coming on immigration,” state Senator Dean Mortimer said. “I don't think there is any question, but at some point, if it's not this year, then in the very near future that we will see some immigration legislation.”

Idaho state senators and representatives are discussing a potential bill to control illegal immigration in the state.

Arizona has recently adopted an illegal immigration law that requires people to carry proof of citizenship. It also requires law enforcement to demand those papers when someone violates the law and the officer has “reasonable suspicion” the person is living in the state illegally.

Idaho leaders said there needs to be regulation here, but it doesn't need to match Arizona's law.

"Idaho is not Arizona,” Mortimer said. “And immigration legislation needs to be Idaho specific.”

Idaho Falls Representative Janice McGeachin grew up in Tucson, Arizona and has seen first-hand the illegal immigrant problem there.

Arizona shares a 370 mile border with Mexico and according to the Idaho Statesman has about 500,000 illegals living there. McGeachin said Idaho faces different circumstances, one of them is the illegal immigrant ratio is much smaller.

"Our areas of concern have more to deal with how do we pay for the services,” McGeachin said. “We are paying for education for those children and we are paying for health care for those people."

Both the Mortimer and McGeachin want to see an illegal immigration solution based on how to prevent losing taxpayer money and not a law that's focused as much on law enforcement.

But when we see the legislation introduced is still unknown.