Fate of Arizona Law Still in Hands of Federal Judge
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton has still not issued a ruling on a motion by the federal government to suspend Arizona's immigration enforcement law while the case is being litigated in federal court. The law is supposed to take effect on Thursday, July 29, but the Justice Department is challenging the law's constitutionality, saying it oversteps federal authority.
Last Thursday, Judge Bolton listened to arguments from both sides and challenged the federal government's case. She asked why the state shouldn't be allowed to protect its citizens by asking individuals already stopped, detained, or arrested to provide their immigration status.
"Why can't Arizona be as inhospitable as they wish to people who have entered the United States illegally?
"You can barely go a day without a location being found in Phoenix where there are numerous people being harbored," she said. "Who am I to stop the state of Arizona?"
Bolton also challenged the law, specifically the reasonable suspicion clause. She said state agencies don't provide a clear definition of the term and leave it to the local officials.
Judge Bolton has given no indication of how or when she may rule on the motion to suspend the law. She did, however, say that she will not likely suspend enforcement of all 14 sections of the law.