Immigration Legislation

The immigration battle heats up more this week. This Thursday a U.S. District Court judge will hear arguments on the Dept. of Justice suit against the Arizona immigration law. Both sides are preparing for a fight. 


Arizona immigration law has groups readying for court  "Advocates on both sides of the debate are gearing up for a fight. Prosecutors across the state are learning immigration law — the enforcement of which is typically handled by federal officers — for the first time. Cities such as Flagstaff that refuse to enforce the new state law are preparing to defend themselves if they are sued." ... Gabriel Chin, a professor at the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law, says the passion over the law is "unlike anything that I've seen here, both because it affects so many people potentially in the legal system and because of the civil rights and constitutional implications." He adds, "Something has been unleashed here in Arizona that ... had not existed before." July 20, 2010, USA Today

Scenarios: What could happen with Arizona's immigration law "The Obama administration goes to court on Thursday to argue for a preliminary injunction to block Arizona's controversial immigration law from taking effect on July 29. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton will hear oral arguments from the federal government as well as the state of Arizona and could grant the preliminary injunction request if she finds that ultimately the Obama administration would succeed on the merits in its quest to nullify the state law. Here are some scenarios for what could happen." July 20, 2010, Reuters

Latin American Nations Bid to Join Mexico in Arizona Case Seven other Latin American countries want to join Mexico in supporting a lawsuit challenging Arizona's immigration enforcement law. Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru filed separate, nearly identical motions to join Mexico's legal brief supporting the lawsuit filed by U.S. civil rights and other advocacy groups.July 19, 2010, AP


National Guard Details Plans For Mexico Border Patrol  "National Guard troops will head to the U.S.-Mexico border Aug. 1 for a yearlong deployment to keep a lookout for illegal border crossers and smugglers and help in criminal investigations, federal officials said Monday. Nearly half the troops will go to Arizona, with smaller groups bound for Texas, California and New Mexico. They will watch for and report illegal crossovers and smugglers. The troops will also help with investigations. They will carry weapons, but use them only to protect themselves." July 19, 2010, NPR