ATLANTA - The Georgia Senate is set to take up a bill that aims to crack down on illegal immigration in the state and also has some provisions similar to those in a tough law enacted last year in Arizona.

Senators on Monday are set to take up an amended version of a House bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City.

The bill would authorize law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of certain criminal suspects and would require employers with more than four workers to verify the immigration status of new hires using a federal database called E-Verify.

Supporters and opponents of the bill have stepped up their efforts this week in anticipation of the end of the legislative session on Thursday.