Let’s chalk one up, although temporary, for the America that believe in laws and the legal process. Just moments ago, the lawsuit filed by the Federal Government denouncing parts of the new SB1070 legislation in Arizona also known as the new Immigration Law or the “Papers Please” law, was temporarily struck down by a judge hearing the case.

Az Governor - Jan Brewer

According to the Federal Government's argument, if Arizona were to carry out certain aspects of the new legislation where police officers had the authority to determine who was illegal as is required by the legislation, then that would obstruct Federal Law and cause problems for legal citizens. The judge in the case, Susan Bolton agrees with this argument, saying;

“Requiring police in Arizona to determine the immigration status of every person who is arrested burdens lawfully present aliens, because their liberty will be restricted while their status is checked. Given the large number of people who are technically arrested but never booked into jail or perhaps even taken to a police station, detention time for this category of arrestee will certainly be extended. Requiring these people to prove their immigration status to the satisfaction of state authorities will unnecessary burden them, including some United States citizens.” (continue reading...)