Governor Jan Brewer announced this morning that she and Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne plan to ask the Supreme Court to lift an injunction that has prevented several parts of Senate Bill 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law, from taking effect -- and that's just fine with Arizona's Democratic Party.
"We agree that the fate of SB 1070 should lie with the U.S. Supreme Court," Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Andrei Cherny says. "Arizona has a serious problem with criminal cartels that smuggle drugs, guns, and humans across our border. Whatever the ultimate decision as to its constitutionality, SB1070 won't solve this problem. Let's settle this legal debate once and for all, so our state can move on from political games to real solutions on border security and comprehensive immigration reform."
Last month, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reverse a federal judge's order that prevented certain aspects of the law from taking effect, namely a provision that allowed police investigating other crimes to ask a person about their immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally.
Brewer says appealing directly to the Supreme Court -- and bypassing the traditionally liberal 9th Circuit -- saves time
"The decision of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the suspension of key provisions of Senate Bill 1070 does harm to the safety and well being of all Arizonans, who suffer the negative effects of illegal immigration," Brewer said this morning. "So instead of appealing to the...9th Circuit Court, my legal team will soon file an immediate petition with the (United States) Supreme Court to lift the injunction of Senate Bill 1070."
The state has until July 11, to file its petition.
