Justice Department eyes 4 more immigration lawsuits
 

Justice Department eyes 4 more immigration lawsuits
By Mackenzie Weinger
Politico (DC), September 30, 2011
The Obama administration is ratcheting up its efforts against state immigration laws around the country, according to a new report.
After suing Arizona and Alabama over immigration measures enacted in those states, the Justice Department is currently reviewing immigration laws in four other states to decide whether to challenge the measures, the Washington Post reported. The immigration measures being examined were enacted in Utah, Georgia, South Carolina and Indiana.
The Justice Department will examine the four laws to see the extent to which the measures interfere with the federal government’s enforcement of immigration law.
“Based on that review and applying those principles, the United States will decide whether and when to bring suit challenging particular state laws,” Justice Department spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa said.
The potential challenges come at an opportune time for the White House, which is seeking to boost Hispanic support for President Barack Obama’s reelection bid.
“I don’t recall any time in history that the Justice Department has so aggressively challenged state laws,” Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law expert at George Washington University Law School, told the Post.
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