FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2010
Media Contact: Adam Sarvana
(202) 225-2435 office
(202) 573-2562 cell
Washington, D.C.- Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today welcomed U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton’s decision to grant a temporary injunction against major parts of Arizona’s controversial SB 1070 immigration law. Judge Bolton enjoined both the reasonable suspicion section – which would have allowed law enforcement officers to demand proof of citizenship from anyone they had detained and “reasonably suspected” of being an illegal immigrant – and the section requiring the carrying of federal immigration documents at all times.
“This is an important moment for the nation to pause and take a deep breath,” Grijalva said. “We need to concentrate on the economy, the lack of jobs and teachers, and the other crucial issues facing Arizona and the rest of the country. As part of this pause, I am encouraging national groups to return their conventions and conferences to the state to help us change the political and economic climate.”
Grijalva said he believes the injunction will be upheld in future rulings and praised the “carefulness, thoroughness and high-mindedness” of Bolton’s ruling.
“Gov. Brewer and the state legislature have proved indifferent to the consequences of this law for the state economy,” Grijalva added. “The best thing to do now is to consider the meaning of this decision, bring people back together after the divisiveness of the past several months, and address the needs of the state in a substantive way. There is no excuse not to talk about the issues facing Arizona, and I sincerely hope that conversation begins immediately.”
Judge Bolton said in her ruling that SB 1070 infringed unacceptably on the federal government’s primary role in setting immigration standards. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, during the first three months of 2010 alone, legislators in 45 states introduced 1,180 bills and resolutions relating to immigration.
