April 28, 2010

Arizona Enacts Tough and Controversial Immigration Law

On April 23, Governor Jan Brewer signed the harshest state immigration law to date. Various groups, including police groups and immigrant rights organizations, have denounced the Arizona immigration law and say enforcement of the new law will lead to racial profiling. The more controversial provisions of the law include the requirement that police, “when practicable,” detain individuals they reasonably suspect are in the United States without authorization. The law also makes failing to carry immigration documents a state crime and allows residents to sue cities if the believe the law is not being enforced.