Police in riot gear stared down protesters in a tense stand-off in Pheonix, Arizona on Thursday.

Only hours after a controversial immigration law went into effect, demonstrators massed on the streets to criticise the law, which they have suggested will create a racial profiling culture amongst local police.

While protesters railed against the local sheriff, who is known locally as a hunter of illegal immigrants, officials in the state, which borders Mexico, have argued the perimeter needs to be secured to avoid illegal immigrants overwhelming the state.

Police and volunteers have now been put on the streets to ensure there are no more disturbances like the one on Thursday, which saw protesters waving Mexican and American flags and banners while chanting protest songs.

By the time the protesters had massed in front of the office of sheriff Joe Arpaio, police in riot gear were there to meet them.

Many of the protesters were from Hispanic and Latin American groups.