On Wednesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked parts of the controversial immigration law in Arizona, better known as SB 1070.
The overall law will still take effect Thursday but without provisions that have angered many opponents of the crackdown that is largely seen as anti-immigrant. Sections that will still go into effect include requiring officers to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws.
Bolton put on hold parts of the law that require immigrants to carry identification papers with them at all times—and made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places.
The judge has ruled that the state could not move forward with enactment of these provisions until the court resolves the issue
She said, “There is a substantial likelihood that officers will wrongfully arrest legal resident aliens under the new (law). By enforcing this statute, Arizona would impose a ‘distinct, unusual and extraordinary’ burden on legal resident aliens that only the federal government has the authority to impose.”
In the hours leading up to tomorrow’s schedule enactment of the bill, Latino activists from across the country have been planning for a day of protests and civil disobedience.
Today’s ruling means that the fight against SB1070 and similar legislation will be played out in federal courtrooms even as people take to the streets.
Read the full ruling here:
We won’t rest until this law is buried!