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Arizona Immigration Enforcement Law

Overview

In April of 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070 into law, igniting a hot debate over immigration enforcement in the United States. One of the toughest immigration enforcement laws passed on the local level, the purpose of the immigration enforcement law is to:

In April of 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070 into law, igniting a hot debate over immigration enforcement in the United States. One of the toughest immigration enforcement laws passed on the local level, the purpose of the immigration enforcement law is to:

  • Ensure “the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona;”
  • “Make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona;” and
  • “Discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.”

Immediately criticized by the Obama Administration, Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department launched a federal lawsuit against the state of Arizona, claiming that the new law preempted federal law. After considering a motion from federal attorneys, Federal Judge Susan Bolton blocked several portions of the law hours before it took effect on July 29. Judge Bolton blocked provisions that require local police to inquire about immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion after the have stopped, detained, or arrested an individual, forbid illegal aliens from soliciting work in public places, and requires legal immigrants to carry their immigration papers at all times.

Arizona has appealed Judge Bolton's injunction to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Update

Arizona House Democrats Urge Obama Not to Sue State

Wednesday, June 23, 2010, 4:00 PM EST - posted on NumbersUSA

Arizona Democratic House Members are asking Pres. Obama not to sue their home state in response to the passing of a tough new immigration enforcement law. Facing tough elections this fall, the Democratic House Members are asking Pres. Obama for more action in securing the border and less lip service.

"Arizonians are tired of the grandstanding, and tired of waiting for help from Washington," Rep. Mitchell wrote in a letter to Pres. Obama. "(A) lawsuit won't solve the problem. It won't secure the border, and it won't fix our broken immigration system."

Both Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick have also spoken out against the federal government's plans to sue the state.

“Congresswoman Giffords wants more federal agents on the Arizona border, not federal lawyers in court arguing with state lawyers about a law that will do nothing to increase public safety in the communities she represents,” a spokeswoman for Rep. Giffords told The Hill, a Capitol Hill publication.

“I am calling on the president and the attorney general to abandon preparations for a lawsuit against Arizona, and to recommit to finding a national solution to fixing this national problem,” Rep. Kirkpatrick said in a statement. “The administration should focus on working with Arizona to put together a long-term strategy to secure our borders and reform our immigration policy. … The time for talk is over, and the time for action is here.”

For more information, see The Hill and the UPI news service.

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Publications

Judge Bolton's Ruling on Arizona Immigration Enforcement Law

Articles - Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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Amicus Brief from 79 Members of Congress in Support of Arizona Against Justice Department

Articles - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

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NumbersUSA Sign-up Form

Local Power Team - Thursday, June 3, 2010

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Arizona's Immigration Enforcement Law (as Amended)

Fact Sheets - Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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Sen. Chuck Schumer's Letter to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer

Articles - Thursday, May 6, 2010

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Fact Sheet: Arizona's Immigration Enforcement Law

Fact Sheets - Friday, April 30, 2010

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In the News

Fewer day laborers on Phx. streets

In the News - Thursday, August 12, 2010

Day laborers, mostly illegal immigrants from Mexico, also had proliferated in other areas of metropolitan Phoenix, including Guadalupe, west Phoenix and Fountain Hills.

But drive by any of those locations now, and only a handful of day laborers are left. And no longer do they rush up to vehicles en masse, waving their hands in a desperate bid to get hired. Now, they are more likely to keep a lower profile, leaning against a tree or sitting on a milk crate.

There are several reasons for the change. Arizona's slumping economy has dried up the demand for day laborers, who typically are hired for yard cleaning, moving, tree cutting, construction and other jobs. Many have left Arizona to look for work in other states, or they have given up and returned to Mexico.

By Daniel Gonzalez -- The Arizona Republic

http://azstarnet.com/news/article_b471c99a-3e6a-5bef-a066-0515066c4755.html

Missouri sheriffs' group endorses immigration enforcement efforts by border states

In the News - Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Missouri sheriffs are giving their support to law officers in states along the Mexican border seeking to enforce immigration laws.

The Missouri Sheriffs' Association this week approved a resolution backing states that have approved their own legislation on immigration enforcement. The resolution specifically mentions Arizona, where part of a new law on the subject has been blocked by a federal judge.

The Missouri sheriffs group said Wednesday the resolution was approved by more than 100 members at its annual meeting, with no votes in opposition.

By Associated Press

http://www.kplr11.com/news/sns-ap-mo--missouriimmigration,0,2803424.story