A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Arizona authorities can enforce a law that has been under a two-year battle for approval. Officers, whom question the immigration status of those they suspect, can now require them to prove their citizenship. Immigration rights groups say this presents the most opportunity for civil rights abuse. Click below to read more.
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Arizona authorities can enforce the most contentious section of the state’s immigration law, which critics have dubbed the “show me your papers” provision.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton clears the way for police to carry out the requirement that officers, while enforcing other laws, question the immigration status of those they suspect are in the country illegally.
The provision has been at the center of a two-year legal battle that resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June upholding the requirement, ruling against the Obama administration, which filed the initial challenge.
Lawyers for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, however, urged the judge to let the requirement go into effect, saying the law’s opponents were merely speculating in their racial profiling claims. The Republican governor’s office also said police have received training to avoid discriminatory practices and that officers must have reasonable suspicion that a person is in the country illegally to trigger the requirement.
Arizona’s law, known as SB1070, was passed in 2010 amid voter frustration with the state’s role as the busiest illegal entry point into the country. Five other states — Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Utah — have adopted variations.
To the supporters, the questioning requirement was the most important part of Arizona’s law, which aimed to reduce the problems associated with illegal immigration through enforcement of the state’s policy.
Immigrant rights groups say the requirement presents the most opportunities for civil rights abuses.
