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U.S. District Court Judge Susan R. Bolton has lifted the injunction on Senate Bill 1070’s “papers please” provision, which allows cops to begin enforcing that section immediately.
This move was pretty much expected, as Bolton signaled her intent to release the injunction a few weeks ago, as she noted that the Supreme Court declared that the section might be constitutional.
See also:
–SB 1070’s “Papers Please” Section Can Go Into Effect, Judge Rules
–The Supreme Court’s 1070 Ruling Is No Win for Teabaggers
–Will Judge Susan Bolton Block 1070’s “Papers Please” Section?
–SB 1070 Oral Arguments on “Papers Please” Section Scheduled for August 21
–ACLU Seeks New Injunction on “Papers Please” Portion of SB 1070
–SB 1070, SCOTUS, Friendly House, and a Ray of Hope
The ACLU and other dissenters still tried to fight Bolton’s dissolution of the injunction, but no dice on that. Police will be required to check the immigration status of anyone they’ve stopped, under the condition that they have a “reasonable suspicion” that the person’s in the country illegally.
While the law’s proponents — well, some of them — have insisted that racial profiling would never be tolerated for an officer to develop this “reasonable suspicion,” the other methods haven’t really been made clear. As eloquently explained by the chief of the largest police department in the state, it’s complicated. Spider-sense à la Spider-Man sounds plausible.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that the “papers please” provision will live forever. Justice Anthony Kennedy’s opinion acknowledged that the law can still be challenged on other Constitutional grounds. Just as an example, we’ll throw out the phrase “equal protection clause.”
“[Arizona’s police officers] bring their training and experience to this important task, as well as a solemn commitment to serving the public, protecting our citizens and upholding the law,” Governor Jan Brewer says in a statement, responding to Bolton’s lifting of the injunction. “That means all of our laws, including those barring racial profiling or discrimination.”
She continued, “It is not enough that SB 1070 be enforced. It must be enforced efficiently, effectively and in harmony with the Constitution and civil rights. I have full faith and confidence that Arizona’s State and local law enforcement officers are prepared for this task.”
More information on this specific injunction can be found here.
