Justice Department Files Lawsuit against Arizona over Racial Profiling Law

(SALEM, Ore..) - Today the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in federal court against the state of Arizona over their racial profiling law, S.B. 1070. The lawsuit argues that Federal authority to enforce immigration law trumps state statute. The Department of Justice has asked for a preliminary injunction to delay the law from going into affect-- citing that it will cause "irreparable harm".

The following is a statement from Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Coalition:

"CAUSA and our sister organizations applaud the action by the Obama Administration to sue to block Arizona's misguided law targeting Latino immigrants. The duty to set immigration policy rests with the Federal Government and not with individual states, counties or cities wishing to create their own patchwork of laws.

This action by the federal government sends a strong message that laws racially targeting segments of our population will not be tolerated as they are both unlawful and un-American.

We are confident that this lawsuit will be successful in having Arizona's misguided law thrown out. Similar state and local laws have been struck down by the courts. For example, Proposition 187 in California, a ballot measure approved by voters in 1994, was struck down by a federal judge who said that the federal government is responsible for immigration policy. Similar decisions have been made in court cases regarding local ordinances in places like Hazleton, Pennsylvania and Farmers Branch, Texas.

Although we applaud the Obama Administration's action, a lawsuit alone will not end the vacuum created by the lack of workable immigration laws. The issue of Arizona and other states creating their own laws reminds us that we need leadership at the federal level to fix our nation's broken immigration system. The President and Congress must work to pass comprehensive immigration reform that would provide a path to citizenship for millions of immigrant working families, secure the border, and crack down on illegal hiring."

Today's announcement by the Justice Department comes after more than 30 jurisdictions across the nation have enacted resolutions to condemn Arizona's law, joined a national boycott of Arizona, or instituted travel bans. Similar resolutions are pending in at least 30 other jurisdictions nationwide.

While legislators in at least 20 states are considering bills similar to the Arizona law, thus far, efforts in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and other states have either failed or stalled. Any efforts to copy Arizona's "papers please" law will now have to consider whether they are prepared to engage in legal battles that are certain to involve the federal government. In Arizona, after filling the streets of Phoenix with up to 100,000 protestors, local advocates are preparing for a new wave of activity on July 29th, when the law is scheduled to be implemented.

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Tom July 8, 2010 12:07 pm (Pacific time)

"R.I. troopers embrace firm immigration role [Rhode Island already doing what Arizona intends to do] SCITUATE, R.I. — Rhode Island State Trooper Nuno Vasconcelos was patrolling Interstate 95 a few months ago when he came upon a two-car accident in heavy traffic. The trooper pulled up, stepped out of his cruiser, and asked one of the drivers for his license. The man said he did not have a license, and under questioning, confessed that he was here illegally from Guatemala. If the accident had happened 15 miles north in Massachusetts, the man would probably have been arrested for driving without a license, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and 10 days in jail, then released pending an appearance in district court. But in Rhode Island, illegal immigrants face a far greater penalty: deportation. From Woonsocket to Westerly, the troopers patrolling the nation’s smallest state are reporting all illegal immigrants they encounter, even on routine stops such as speeding, to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE. boston.com" //We can expect a federal lawsuit against reliably-liberal Rhode Island any day now.... right? Or at least a massive boycott campaign led by progressive organizations and city governments.... right? Hey LA, San Francisco, Portland, what are you going to do?

Jerry Womack July 8, 2010 9:16 am (Pacific time)

I find it interesting that the feds want to sue Arizona for enacting a law the feds are suppost to enforce, but the feds ignore those "sanctuary" cities/towns that acknowledge that they are willfully violating the law in terms of contacting ICE about criminal illegals involved with their local justice systems. So that kind of hypocrisy is for banana republics and that is what we have under Obama/Holder. Their time for accountibility is coming, and those who support those racist anti-Americans. Just review the latest Black Panther videos showing one of the Philidelphia voter precinct intimitators from 11/2008 screaming with a microphone that blacks need to"kill all the crackers!" and to "kill all the cracker babies!" This has been on FOX the last two days. Why not the other networks? You people better wake up, because this is escalating, this can quickly become a major major conflict. And it is the racist Obama, the one who made his bs claims that has set this up. Tell me, if he was not black, would he even have been a candidate for any national office? Think about it. His total lack of experience and the whole whitehouse crew are ruining our country. This is putting America and all our people in serious danger. Just by ingoring this post will not change what has happened and what is certainly coming down the pike. Just look at the violent crime rate over the last 40 years, now that is all the evidence anyone needs for predicting the future.

Cary July 7, 2010 9:08 am (Pacific time)

Considering all reputable polls conducted in Arizona show that over 70% want SB 1070 to go into effect, and that would include hispanic U.S. citizens, any march, regardless of the number, against this bill will mean very little to not just Arizona voters but also American voters. Needless to say this move by the FEDs is political. People are fed up with the FED's nonaction and ignoring the majority will in enforcing laws on the books.

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