Judge blocks aspects of Arizona immigration law, leaves others intact

In Arizona, US District Court Judge Susan Bolton has ruled on the state’s controversial immigration law, scheduled to go into effect tomorrow. Bolton is allowing some aspects to go ahead, but blocked several key provisions of SB 1070. FSRN’s Amanda Shauger reports:

TRANSCRIPT:

On Wednesday, Judge Susan Bolton determined that some of the most controversial portions of SB 1070 could be blocked. The judge said the state can not require police to check a person's immigration status.

Bolton also blocked the provisions requiring immigrants to carry papers at all times, and making it a crime for immigrants to solicit and perform work.

The injunction also stops the warrantless arrest of someone if there's probable cause he or she committed a crime that leads to deportation.

Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos:

"First reaction… we were happy. We've been nervous and looking at the clock ticking down as we get closer to the 29th, really, really hoping that the judge would see, would prevail on the side of justice. For the most part you know, the really really scary ones, the ones that I think would have caused a lot of harm to people… with these very, very huge nebulous gray areas of reasonably suspicious and requiring things that just were clearly out of the area and the jurisdiction of state government. So, you know, we are moving forward more hopeful and feeling more confident that we're going to prevail in the end."

Some provisions of the law will take effect, including prohibiting state officials from using sanctuary laws, which limit enforcement of federal immigration laws and allowing civil lawsuits against sanctuary policies. Another is requiring that state officials work with federal officials on immigration enforcement. And, as of midnight Thursday, it will be illegal to pick up or transport day laborers.

The Justice Department and a coalition of civil rights groups have filed suit against Arizona. State officials say they will appeal the portions of the law which have been enjoined. Protests are still planned across the state and the country on Thursday.

Amanda Shauger, FSRN, Tucson.

Photo: Sign protesting Arizona's immigration law SB1070

Photo credit: Arasmus Photo