The lawsuit asserts the federal government’s authority to set immigration laws and recognizes that the Arizona law diverts resources from critical law enforcement priorities such as national security and public safety. In addition, the lawsuit acknowledges widespread concerns that Arizona’s legislation will undermine trust between immigrant communities and the police, interfering with longstanding federal protections for individuals seeking asylum, assisting police in prosecuting a crime, or fleeing human trafficking.

NIJC APPLAUDS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAWSUIT
CHALLENGING ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW

Urges President Obama and Congress to Take Action
to Pass Humane Federal Immigration Reform

Statement of Mary Meg McCarthy, Executive Director
Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center

CHICAGO (July 7, 2010) - Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center welcomes the Obama administration’s announcement that the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Arizona challenging State Bill 1070 on preemption grounds.

The lawsuit asserts the federal government’s authority to set immigration laws and recognizes that the Arizona law diverts resources from critical law enforcement priorities such as national security and public safety. In addition, the lawsuit acknowledges widespread concerns that Arizona’s legislation will undermine trust between immigrant communities and the police, interfering with longstanding federal protections for individuals seeking asylum, assisting police in prosecuting a crime, or fleeing human trafficking.

With this lawsuit, President Obama acknowledges the dangers of allowing a patchwork of law enforcement regimes to govern immigration.  In this respect, the U.S. government’s decision to challenge the Arizona law underscores the need for humane federal immigration reform – including reform of the country’s immigrant detention system. Furthermore, while the Arizona law places undue enforcement authority with local police, current federal policies such as Secure Communities and 287(g) also enable local law enforcement to play an unprecedented role in initiating deportation proceedings and make communities vulnerable to civil and human rights abuses. As it opposes SB 1070, the administration also should review these harmful federal enforcement policies.

Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center provides direct legal services to and advocates for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. For more information visit www.immigrantjustice.org.