In April of 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070 into law, igniting a hot debate over immigration enforcement in the United States. One of the toughest immigration enforcement laws passed on the local level, the purpose of the immigration enforcement law is to:

• Ensure “the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona;”
• “Make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona;” and
• “Discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.”

Immediately criticized by the Obama Administration, Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department launched a federal lawsuit against the state of Arizona, claiming that the new law preempted federal law. After considering a motion from federal attorneys, Federal Judge Susan Bolton blocked several portions of the law hours before it took effect on July 29. Judge Bolton blocked provisions that require local police to inquire about immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion after the have stopped, detained, or arrested an individual, forbid illegal aliens from soliciting work in public places, and requires legal immigrants to carry their immigration papers at all times.

Arizona has appealed Judge Bolton's injunction to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

• Download Arizona's Immigration Enforcement Law (as amended)
• Download Arizona Fact Sheet prepared by NumbersUSA's Director of Government Relations Rosemary Jenks
• View a list of municipalities that have boycotted Arizona
• Download Judge Bolton's decision
• Download the Amicus Brief filed by more than 80 Members of Congress on behalf of Arizona