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Monday, June 25, 2012

Statement of the Resident Commissioner Regarding the Supreme Court's Decision on Arizona's Immigration Law

"I think the Court's decision--striking down three of four sections in the Arizona law and suggesting the fourth section will also be struck down if it is interpreted by Arizona courts as giving too much discretion to state officers--is thoughtful and comprehensive. It indicates that Arizona's legislature overstepped its authority in key respects, and reinforces the federal government's primacy with respect to establishing and enforcing our nation's immigration laws.

Nevertheless, like President Obama, I remain concerned that the provision of Arizona law that was not struck down--which requires local law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of anyone they suspect to be undocumented--invites state and local law enforcement officers to detain individuals on the basis of their appearance, their command of English, and other illegitimate factors. This sort of conduct should never be tolerated, much less encouraged"