American Immigration Lawyers Association Submits Amicus Brief Challenging the Arizona Anti-Immigrant Law

On June 15, 2010, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”), submitted an amicus brief to the District Court in Arizona challenging the implementation of Arizona’s SB-1070 anti-immigrant law. The brief challenges Arizona’s ability to implement the law in a way that avoids discrimination and profiling and comports with due process. The law also questions the ability of the State of Arizona to require state and local police officers to make technical and nuanced decisions regarding who is “lawfully present” and argues that such determinations violate the federal government’s authority over the implementation and enforcement of immigration law.

The law is scheduled to take effect on July 29, 2010, but the law is currently being challenged in a number of lawsuits including the class action lawsuit in Friendly House v. Whiting. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit have filed an injunction asking that the District Court stop the implementation of the lawsuit pending the litigation.

Joseph & Hall P.C. attorney, Jeff Joseph is an elected director of the Board of Governors of AILA.