New Arizona Immigration Omnibus More A Test Of Federal Government Authority Than Practical Enforceable Law

Arizona is pushing an unprecedented new type of state passed Anti-Immigrant legislation forward this week, what is becoming increasingly clear is that SB1611 is designed not so much to regulate immigration in Arizona but to pick a fight with the federal government.

Alia Beard Rau, Dan Nowicki and Ken Alltucker of the Arizona Republic has the full story here:

Some Arizona lawmakers are tired of the federal government telling the state what to do. They don't believe federal requirements, Supreme Court rulings or decades of precedent are good reasons to require state taxpayers to pay to educate illegal immigrants or provide them with health care. And, this year, they're doing something about it.

And by doing something about it.... The state legislature intends to pass a state law which will almost certainly face a lawsuit from the federal government and advocacy organizations:

...many of these efforts, if they become law, will likely face federal lawsuits challenging their constitutionality. But that threat didn't deter the Legislature from passing Senate Bill 1070 last year and doesn't seem to be slowing momentum for these bills this year. Many of the bills have passed their first legislative-committee hurdle.

Fortunately it is possible that this bill will not have the votes necessary to pass:

Several of the more moderate Senate Republicans have voiced dislike for the bills, saying they are a distraction from the more important efforts to bring jobs and restore the state's economy. And once they leave the Senate - where President Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, helped move them through - their chances diminish. House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa, has made it clear that the budget and jobs are his priority. And, in the House, he will decide which committee, if any, hears the immigration bills.

More on this as it develops.