By:  Timothy Sutton, Communications Editor

After two years of being deadlocked in the court system, the injunction preventing Arizona’s police force from enforcing the racially controversial “papers please,” program was lifted Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton. The decision is the latest legal move in Valle del Sol v. Whiting, a class action legal challenge to SB 1070 that was filed in May 2010. Plaintiffs include an Arizona-born citizen of Spanish and Chinese descent who was racially profiled.  “While today’s ruling puts civil rights at risk, it does nothing to undermine our resolve to continue fighting until SB 1070 is struck down in its entirety,” said Chris Newman, legal director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. The Supreme Court upheld SB 1070 2(b), also known as the “papers please,” provision, earlier this summer. However, Justice Kennedy suggested there would be clear constitutional problems if the law were used to target racial or ethnic minorities, or to detain people for an unreasonable period of time while checking their immigration status. Opponents assert this unwanted outcome of targeting minorities is certain to transpire.

However, Governor Jan Brewer insists that the “papers please,” law does not allow Arizona law enforcement to conduct pretext stops because it requires reasonable suspicion. In a public statement she claimed Wednesday’s District Court ruling is “one big step closer to implementing the core provision of SB 1070.” That provision? Ridding Arizona of illegal immigrants.

Arizona’s highly controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was also been quoted on the Glenn Beck Show, clarifying his interpretation of reasonable suspicion, “If they have their speech, what they look like, if they look like they come from another country, we can take care of that situation.” As Brewer and Arpaio ramp up for the certain increase in detainment leading to deportation both Cecilia Wong of the ACLU and Victor Viramontes of MALDEF have committed to continue the fight against SB 1070.

It won’t be long before SB 1070 2(b) is back in the courthouse being challenged for racial profiling and discrimination based upon national origin. We will keep you updated on those and other immigration related breaking news as it develops. For more information, contact one of our immigration professionals at info@immigrationcompliancegroup.com or call 562 612.3996.

The Immigration Policy Center reported today that President Obama will be meeting with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Thursday, June 3rd to discuss border security and Arizona’s controversial new immigration law SB 1070.  While both opponents and proponents are attempting to assess the impact the new law may have on residents of Arizona-citizens and immigrants alike, some  22 states (at last count) are considering similar legislation. Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging the constitutionality of the law, opponents are mounting a boycott, and numerous polls show that a majority of the public both supports the Arizona law and comprehensive immigration reform.

The Immigration Policy Center has put together a Special Report on “What you Need to Know about the New Law and How it Can Impact your State”.  One of the opening statements of the Guide reads as follows:

“SB 1070 represents, among other things, a growing frustration with our broken immigration system.  Ultimately, the courts will decide the constitutionality of the law, while time will answer many questions about its impact.  In the short term, as other states contemplate copying Arizona’s version of immigration reform, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that an enforcement-only approach – whether attempted at the federal or state level – does not solve the immigration problem.”