By Stephanie Miceli - July 7, 2010
The Justice
Department filed suit yesterday against Arizona over its controversial
immigration law, on the grounds it usurps federal authority.
Organizations
such as Act Now to Stop War and End
Racism (ANSWER), a national protest organization which plans to march in
opposition in Boston on Saturday, have argued it legalizes racial
profiling. Even Arizona law enforcement officials, including the police chiefs
of Phoenix and Tucson, say the law would inhibit their policing abilities. The
officials fear crime victims or witnesses will be less likely to adhere to law
enforcement. For them, the law could also result in reassignment from critical
areas as attention is diverted to border activity.
In a
prepared statement, Attorney General Eric Holder added, "diverting federal
resources away from dangerous aliens such as terrorism suspects and aliens with
criminal records will impact the entire country's safety."
The law is
not scheduled to take effect until July 29, however, prompting Arizona's
Republican senators John McCain and Jon Kyl to issue a joint statement saying
it was "far too premature'' for the Obama administration to challenge it.
Yet it's a
question of power rather than a question of potential results.
"The Obama
Administration and Congress must put the immigration issue squarely back where
it belongs - in the halls of congress and on the desk of the President of the
United States," said the American Immigration Council in a written statement.
But even
before Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed the law in April, anti-immigration
groups such as the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps have produced questionable
actions. The group, which has planned to erect a ten mile fence to deter
illegal immigrants from crossing the Arizona-Mexico border, has been able to
build 2.5 miles through secured donations and volunteers.
In 1994, a
steel fence was constructed along the US- Mexico border, making it more difficult
for people to illegally enter through California. Since then, illegal
immigrants have opted to cross the border through Arizona; while a more
difficult journey in some cases, it has made for easier entry.
The Arizona
Daily Sun reported that even Arizona Democrats are on the fence about the Obama
administration's response. Only Represenetative Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, among
members of the state's congressional delegation, backed the president.
The Justice
Department has requested a preliminary injunction to stop Arizona's pending
immigration law from taking effect.
(Photo Courtesy: AP Images)
