Arizona Challenges DOJ Lawsuit on SB1070

Submitted by Kristian Ramos on 7/21/10

With oral arguments set to be heard on the federal lawsuit against SB1070 in a district court on Thursday, Arizona has filed an objection claiming that the state is acting within its powers.

Tim Gaynor of Reuters has the full story:

Arizona on Tuesday urged a federal judge to reject the U.S. government's bid to quash its strict new immigration law, arguing the border state is acting within its powers.

The law takes effect on July 29. It requires state and local police to investigate the immigration status of anyone they reasonably suspect of being an illegal immigrant.

Lawyers for Governor Brewer are confident that the lawsuit will be struck down:

"Arizona merely seeks to assist with the enforcement of existing federal immigration laws in a constitutional manner," lawyers for Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said in documents filed with the court late on Tuesday.

"It is (the Obama administration) that is attempting to impose immigration policies and priorities that contravene and conflict with federal law and unambiguous congressional intent."

The full article can be read here.