SB 1070 Gets Legal Challenge

PHOENIX—Tension is mounting in this southwestern state over a strict new immigration law that will criminalize undocumented immigrants.

Students walked out of class last week and chained themselves to the state capitol building in protest of the law. Days later, officials threatened an economic boycott of the state. And Thursday the Diamondbacks baseball team was subject to jeers about SB 1070 while playing in Chicago.

Yesterday two lawsuits were filed, one of them by Tucson policeman Martin Escobar, who says there’s no way for officers to confirm people’s immigration status without impeding investigations. The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders sued as well, arguing that federal law pre-empts state regulation of national borders.  The Coalition also says SB 1070 violates due process rights by letting police detain suspected undocumented immigrants before they’re convicted.

Valeria Fernandez spoke on PRI’s The Takeaway this morning about the situation. Listen here:

Related Article: New Arizona Immigration Law Awakens Youth Protest Movement
AboutFeet in Two Worlds
Feet in 2 Worlds (Fi2W) is an independent media outlet, journalism training program, and launchpad for emerging immigrant journalists and media makers of color. Our work brings positive and meaningful change to America's newsrooms and has a broader impact on how immigration is reported and the ethnic and racial composition of news organizations.