Federal Judge Rules Against SB 1070 — For Now

By Simone Hilliard

United States District Court Judge Susan Bolton has blocked the most controversial sections of Arizona's SB 1070 from going into effect Thursday (July 29).

Judge Bolton has issued a preliminary injunction against officers' authority to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws, a mandated request that immigrants carry their papers at all times, and the prohibition of undocumented workers seeking employment in public spheres.

Judge Bolton released the following statement:

“Preserving the status quo through a preliminary injunction is less harmful than allowing state laws that are likely preempted by federal law to be enforced.

There is a substantial likelihood that officers will wrongfully arrest legal resident aliens. By enforcing this statute, Arizona would impose a ‘distinct, unusual and extraordinary’ burden on legal resident aliens that only the federal government has the authority to impose.”

The ruling comes just four days prior to the arrival of 1,200 National Guard troops who were to report to the Southwest border to assist federal and local law enforcement agencies, as part of the Obama administration’s response to growing frustrations and protests. 

Lawyers for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, the Republican who signed the law into effect, are expected to appeal, and legal experts predict the case is bound for the Supreme Court.  

Source: [NYTimes.com]

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Tags Cultura, federal judge, Immigration, Politics, ruling, SB 1070, Tr3s