BOUCHER URGES THAT LAWSUIT CHALLENGING ARIZONA LAW BE WITHDRAWN

Read a copy of Congressman Boucher's Letter to the Attorney General

            (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Rick Boucher has expressed his strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) lawsuit challenging the State of Arizona’s recently passed immigration law, S.B. 1070. Boucher has formally asked the Atty. Gen. to withdraw the lawsuit.

“The State of Arizona recently enacted legislation permitting law enforcement officials in Arizona to determine the legal status of individuals who are detained for other reasons, such as traffic violations when they have a reasonable ground to believe that the person is in the country illegally. I support the Arizona law which provides an important tool for state and local law enforcement officials in Arizona to combat illegal immigration.

“Unfortunately, the US Department of Justice is now challenging the constitutionality of the Arizona law in federal court. I am strongly opposed to this lawsuit, and I have expressed to the Attorney General a formal request that the lawsuit be withdrawn.

“In my view, the Arizona law is entirely appropriate and follows legal guidance issued by the Department of Justice several years ago indicating that law enforcement officials at the state and local levels have the legal authority to determine the immigration status of individuals who are detained for other reasons.

“I am hopeful that the ill-advised lawsuit will be dismissed . I will also strongly oppose any legislative effort to repeal or otherwise overturn the recently enacted Arizona law,” Boucher said.

-###-