MEDIA CONTACT:

STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

STATEMENT BY

CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MISSOURI

REGARDING UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULING ON ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW

NOTE: The following, in its entirety,

is a first-person statement by

Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri

ST. LOUIS, MO– “I am encouraged that the Supreme Court has struck down key provisions of Arizona's immigration law.  This ruling confirms the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform that is honest, compassionate and enforceable across the country.

However, I am very troubled by the remaining provision of the law which was upheld, the so-called “Show me your papers section,” which could result in racial profiling by law enforcement agencies. Immigration reform cannot be achieved by undermining civil rights.  Law enforcement agencies in Arizona and elsewhere must not take this ruling as a license to judge individuals solely by what they look like.”

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