Was the Judge Bribed To Change Law? - Core of Arizona immigration law blocked PHOENIX...-

Core of Arizona immigration law blocked

PHOENIX — Supporters of Arizona's illegal-immigration law vowed a long legal fight to enforce it after a federal judge blocked key provisions of the legislation that ignited a national furor.

Alan Gomez and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

Hours before the law was to take effect, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, a Bill Clinton appointee, on Wednesday put on hold its most contentious element: a provision that requires police to check suspects' immigration status during routine stops if there is reasonable suspicion they are in the country illegally.

The decision, a temporary action until the full legal dispute is aired, also blocks parts of the law that ban illegal immigrants from seeking work and require documented immigrants to apply for or carry registration papers.

Bolton noted the state's concerns about illegal immigration but said enforcement of the provisions "would likely burden legal resident aliens and interfere with federal policy."

The much-anticipated ruling is a victory for immigration rights advocates and the Obama administration, yet it marks just the first skirmish in a swelling legal battle.

Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed the legislation in April, promised an "expedited" appeal of the initial ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, while opponents of the law said they would continue their fight to strike it down permanently.

Once the Appeals Court rules, the dispute could head to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"This fight is far from over," Brewer said.

The Obama Justice Department, which filed one of seven challenges to the law, had argued that immigration enforcement was a federal responsibility.

"While we understand the frustration of Arizonans with the broken immigration system, a patchwork of state and local policies would seriously disrupt federal immigration enforcement," Justice spokeswoman Hannah August said.

Phoenix Vice Mayor Michael Nowakowski, a Democrat, stood outside the federal courthouse here to back the judge's decision.

"You can't have 50 states doing their own version of immigration law," he said.

Bolton's ruling came as supporters and opponents of the law gathered for demonstrations today in Phoenix and as officials in nine states — from Florida to South Dakota — had offered their support to Brewer.

"Today's ruling is a slap in the face to citizens who are trying to exercise their sovereignty," said Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, a Republican candidate for governor.

Mexican officials, too, acknowledged the fight is not over. Francisco Ramírez Acuña, speaker of Mexico's House of Representatives, urged colleagues to continue preparing for more deportees in case the law eventually takes effect.

"We have to agree to generate sources of jobs, so that these people who are coming from the United States can find some kind of employment in our country," he said.

Johnson reported from Washington. Contributing: Chris Hawley in Mexico City.

Federal Ruling on Arizona Immigration Law

Source: USA Today

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