REFLECTIONS ON THE ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW

Susie L. Hoeller, J.D.

May 26, 2010

Introduction

On April 23, 2010, the Arizona Governor signed into law, the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” (“S.B. 1070”). Section 1 of S.B. 1070 sets forth the legislative intent as follows:

“The legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout Arizona. The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona. The provisions of this act are intended to work together to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.”    

The law is controversial but polls show that a slim majority of Arizonans and Americans support it.   (more…)