Tomorrow morning the Arizona Latino Republican Association will announce its intention to become the first Hispanic organization in the country to declare its support for the new Arizona immigration law, S.B. 1070, set to go into effect on July 29, by “filing a motion to intervene against the Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging Arizona’s immigration policy.”
The motion regarding the DOJ lawsuit is currently being developed, but should be ready in time for a court hearing on the 22nd. At the press conference for tomorrow’s announcement, the ALRA will be joined by Freedom Watch and members of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.
Currently, the Department of Justice lawsuit names the state of Arizona and Governor Jan Brewer as defendants. According to Larry Klayman of Freedom Watch, the ALRA will be “in effect, a defendant” in the government’s suit.
According to a Newsmaxarticle:
The Justice Department claims the federal government has “preeminent authority” on immigration enforcement and that the Arizona law violates that authority.
In court documents filed Tuesday, lawyers for Brewer wrote, “Arizona merely seeks to assist with the enforcement of existing federal immigration laws in a constitutional manner. It is (the Obama administration) that is attempting to impose immigration policies and priorities that contravene and conflict with federal law and unambiguous congressional intent.”
As FoxNews explains it:
Arizona’s law, which was passed in April, requires police officers conducting traffic stops or questioning suspects about legal violations to ask about immigration status if “reasonable suspicion” exists that the individuals is in the country illegally. Critics have said the law will lead to racial profiling.
Meanwhile another group, Judicial Watch, announced on July 16 that it was filing a “Motion to Intervene” on behalf of the State Senator who authored S.B. 1070, Russell Pearce. The announcement said, in part, “As the author and driving force behind the enactment of SB 1070, Senator Pearce has the right to defend it.”
Said Senator Pearce:
The purpose of SB 1070 is to protect the citizens of Arizona from the devastating and deadly impact of rampant illegal immigration. And it is outrageous that the Obama administration would attack Arizona for simply protecting its own citizens, especially when it has failed so miserably to do its constitutional duty and secure the border. This is a legal battle of epic proportions. As a Senator in a state on the frontlines, I see firsthand the damage being done to our state and our country. What happens here in Arizona will impact every state in the country interested in protecting its citizens by enforcing the rule of law. We are a nation of laws. We must have the courage — the fortitude — to enforce, with compassion but without apology, those laws that protect the integrity of our borders and the rights of our lawful citizens.
The only Hispanic to vote in favor of S.B. 1070 was Rep. Steve Montenegro., also the youngest member of the state’s legislature. Montenegro, the son of legal immigrants, has regularly made known his support for the new Arizona law. He came to the United States legally himself and was 18 when he became a citizen. Says Montenegro, “When you finally reach that day, you understand that being an American is a responsibility, not just an entitlement.”
Also present at the press conference will be ALRA chairman, Jesse Hernandez.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano: AP Images
