bobdina
07-06-2010, 02:43 PM
Federal government challenge to Arizona migrant law
The US federal government is to challenge the constitutionality of a law passed by Arizona to target illegal immigrants, the Associated Press says.
It requires police to query the immigration status of people stopped for a legitimate reason who arouse suspicion of being in the US illegally.
A justice department lawsuit will argue the law usurps federal authority.
Due to take effect this month, the border state's new law has caused outrage in Mexico.
President Barack Obama has described the Arizona law as "misguided" and the legal challenge was long expected, AP reports.
Entry point state
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed the law in April and it is due to go into effect on 29 July but the lawsuit could delay its implementation.
The law was passed after years of frustration in the state over problems associated with illegal immigration, including drug-trafficking and violent kidnappings.
Arizona is the biggest entry point into the US for illegal immigrants, and is home to an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants.
Continue reading the main story
A patchwork of local immigration rules where we all know one clear national standard is needed
President Barack Obama
The justice department lawsuit was revealed to AP by an official at the department with knowledge of the plans.
The legal challenge is due to be announced formally by Attorney General Eric Holder and the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor.
In a speech on immigration reform last week, President Obama warned of the possibility of other states following Arizona's lead.
"As other states and localities go their own ways, we face the prospect that different rules for immigration will apply in different parts of the country," he said.
"A patchwork of local immigration rules where we all know one clear national standard is needed."
The law makes it a state crime for legal immigrants not to carry their immigration documents and bans day labourers and people who seek their services from blocking traffic on streets.
It also prohibits government agencies from having policies that restrict the enforcement of federal immigration law and lets Arizonans file lawsuits against agencies that hinder immigration enforcement
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10530861.stm
The US federal government is to challenge the constitutionality of a law passed by Arizona to target illegal immigrants, the Associated Press says.
It requires police to query the immigration status of people stopped for a legitimate reason who arouse suspicion of being in the US illegally.
A justice department lawsuit will argue the law usurps federal authority.
Due to take effect this month, the border state's new law has caused outrage in Mexico.
President Barack Obama has described the Arizona law as "misguided" and the legal challenge was long expected, AP reports.
Entry point state
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed the law in April and it is due to go into effect on 29 July but the lawsuit could delay its implementation.
The law was passed after years of frustration in the state over problems associated with illegal immigration, including drug-trafficking and violent kidnappings.
Arizona is the biggest entry point into the US for illegal immigrants, and is home to an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants.
Continue reading the main story
A patchwork of local immigration rules where we all know one clear national standard is needed
President Barack Obama
The justice department lawsuit was revealed to AP by an official at the department with knowledge of the plans.
The legal challenge is due to be announced formally by Attorney General Eric Holder and the Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, a former Arizona governor.
In a speech on immigration reform last week, President Obama warned of the possibility of other states following Arizona's lead.
"As other states and localities go their own ways, we face the prospect that different rules for immigration will apply in different parts of the country," he said.
"A patchwork of local immigration rules where we all know one clear national standard is needed."
The law makes it a state crime for legal immigrants not to carry their immigration documents and bans day labourers and people who seek their services from blocking traffic on streets.
It also prohibits government agencies from having policies that restrict the enforcement of federal immigration law and lets Arizonans file lawsuits against agencies that hinder immigration enforcement
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10530861.stm