Jeanfromfillmore
06-20-2010, 01:17 PM
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer won't back down; faces federal lawsuit over immigration law
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is refusing to back down following an announcement by the Obama administration that a federal lawsuit will be filed against Arizona over the state's illegal immigration law.
Brewer called the decision to challenge the law "outrageous," though she said she wasn't surprised. "Our federal government should be using its legal resources to fight illegal immigration, not the law-abiding citizens of Arizona," Brewer said in a statement.
Brewer was disappointed that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton initially spoke of the lawsuit while being interviewed by an Ecuadorean television station on June 8. Brewer said she was shocked that foreign media would hear of the lawsuit before Arizonans.
White House officials confirmed on Friday that a Department of Justice suit will be filed, according to Fox News, although they are saying there are issues to review and consider before the federal government has "a strong enough case to file a lawsuit."
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said he will withdraw as counsel, but Brewer is confident that her own attorneys will zealously defend the new law. "I will ensure the immigration laws we passed are vigorously defended all the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary, where this reasonable law will ultimately be found constitutional," she said.
Brewer announced Friday that her legal team filed a motion to dismiss the ALCU's lawsuit challenging SB 1070. Attorneys say they will argue on the grounds that the plaintiffs "lack standing to pursue their claims and have failed to establish any real and immediate threat of harm."
Arizona has faced backlash over the controversial immigration law as many have chosen to boycott the state. The new coalition, "Boycott Arizona," formed in April, is urging everyone to avoid traveling to Arizona and to stop using products made in the state.
Several musicians have demonstrated their opposition to the new law by canceling performances, including Hall and Oates. "In addition to our personal convictions, we are standing in solidarity with the music community in our boycott of performing in Arizona at this time," the duo said in a statement earlier this month.
Utah Legislator Stephen Sandstrom is working to introduce similar legislation. "Not only am I doing something about the problem of illegal immigration in Utah, I am one of the state's leaders on this issue, having sponsored or co-sponsored nearly every piece of legislation to counter illegal immigration," Sandstrom said in a statement posted on his website. "Illegal immigration is negatively impacting our society and economy. I am committed to reversing this damaging trend." http://www.examiner.com/x-40986-Salt-Lake-City-Page-One-Examiner~y2010m6d20-Arizona-Governor-Jan-Brewer-wont-back-down-faces-federal-lawsuit-over-immigration-law
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is refusing to back down following an announcement by the Obama administration that a federal lawsuit will be filed against Arizona over the state's illegal immigration law.
Brewer called the decision to challenge the law "outrageous," though she said she wasn't surprised. "Our federal government should be using its legal resources to fight illegal immigration, not the law-abiding citizens of Arizona," Brewer said in a statement.
Brewer was disappointed that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton initially spoke of the lawsuit while being interviewed by an Ecuadorean television station on June 8. Brewer said she was shocked that foreign media would hear of the lawsuit before Arizonans.
White House officials confirmed on Friday that a Department of Justice suit will be filed, according to Fox News, although they are saying there are issues to review and consider before the federal government has "a strong enough case to file a lawsuit."
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said he will withdraw as counsel, but Brewer is confident that her own attorneys will zealously defend the new law. "I will ensure the immigration laws we passed are vigorously defended all the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary, where this reasonable law will ultimately be found constitutional," she said.
Brewer announced Friday that her legal team filed a motion to dismiss the ALCU's lawsuit challenging SB 1070. Attorneys say they will argue on the grounds that the plaintiffs "lack standing to pursue their claims and have failed to establish any real and immediate threat of harm."
Arizona has faced backlash over the controversial immigration law as many have chosen to boycott the state. The new coalition, "Boycott Arizona," formed in April, is urging everyone to avoid traveling to Arizona and to stop using products made in the state.
Several musicians have demonstrated their opposition to the new law by canceling performances, including Hall and Oates. "In addition to our personal convictions, we are standing in solidarity with the music community in our boycott of performing in Arizona at this time," the duo said in a statement earlier this month.
Utah Legislator Stephen Sandstrom is working to introduce similar legislation. "Not only am I doing something about the problem of illegal immigration in Utah, I am one of the state's leaders on this issue, having sponsored or co-sponsored nearly every piece of legislation to counter illegal immigration," Sandstrom said in a statement posted on his website. "Illegal immigration is negatively impacting our society and economy. I am committed to reversing this damaging trend." http://www.examiner.com/x-40986-Salt-Lake-City-Page-One-Examiner~y2010m6d20-Arizona-Governor-Jan-Brewer-wont-back-down-faces-federal-lawsuit-over-immigration-law