SB 1070: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, others react to judge's ruling

PHOENIX - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and others are reacting Wednesday after a federal judge ruled that officials can enforce a controversial section of Arizona’s immigration law SB 1070.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled that law enforcement can carry out the requirement that officers ask about the immigration status of those they suspect are in the U.S. illegally while enforcing other laws.

Some have called the section the “show me your papers" provision.

Brewer and the American Civil Liberties Union have released statements following the ruling.

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

Federal Court Denies Motion to Enjoin Heart of SB 1070; Law to Take Effect Shortly

"Today, Arizona is one big step closer to implementing the core provision of SB 1070. I applaud the federal court for siding with the U.S. Supreme Court in refusing to block the most critical section of this law, which will empower state and local law enforcement, as part of a legal stop or detention, to inquire about an individual's immigration status when the officer has reasonable suspicion. With this provision, Arizona makes a clear statement that it will not tolerate sanctuary city policies, and will now have thousands of additional officers to collaborate with the federal government as state and local law enforcement do what they always have: enforce the law.

"After more than two years of legal challenges, it is time that Section 2(B) of SB 1070 take effect. Given today's ruling, along with the federal court's suggestion that it intends in the very near future to formally lift the existing injunction, it is clear the day of implementation is fast approaching.

"As I have said consistently, it is not enough that this law be enforced. It must be enforced efficiently, effectively and in harmony with the Constitution and civil rights. I have no doubt Arizona's law enforcement officers are up for the task ahead."

Senate President Russell Pearce

Pearce called Bolton's ruling a "huge win." "The problem isn't the law," he said. "The problem is a broken political system and those that fail to keep their commitment to defend the law."

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio

Arpaio said the ruling doesn't change what his office already has been doing. The only difference, he said, will be in how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials respond to calls for pickup. "Right now the only thing we can do is call ICE and see if they can pick them up under circumstances where we don't have a state charge," Arpaio said. "If we have a state charge, we'll book them into jail."

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

A federal district judge today enjoined Arizona’s harboring statute but refused to issue an injunction on the most-controversial provision of SB 1070, Arizona's anti-immigrant law. However, the so-called show-me-your-papers provision will not go into effect for at least 10 days, while lawyers for the United States and Arizona offer language for the order that will lift injunction.

 "The district court was correct in blocking Arizona’s harboring statute, which criminalized many everyday interactions with unauthorized immigrants. Unfortunately, the district court's ruling let the “show me your papers” law stand, despite significant new evidence that it was passed with a discriminatory motive and will result in illegal detentions," said Cecillia Wang, director of the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project. "The ruling puts an enormous burden on the countless Arizona residents who will be victims of racial profiling and illegal detentions because of this law. We remain committed to fighting what is left of SB 1070 and defending the rights of all Arizonans to be free from this unjust law."

The ACLU was among the groups that had intervened in the case on the side of the federal government.

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne:

“This has been challenged to death and it survived all those challenges and I hope this is the end of it. What people will find is that this does not result in racial profiling. As the Attorney General's office, we play a role in the training of police officers. The police officers have been carefully trained to avoid racial profiling. It's specifically prohibited by the statute."

Lydia Guzman, Civil Rights Activist

"Latinos are being asked about their nationality. Where they were born. Things that have nothing to do with the citation, or reason they were stopped. Those are the folks that we want to hear from because those are the folks that we need to bring forward into the courts and say, 'these folks civil rights are being violated.' "