Today, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Judge Susan Bolton ruled that Arizona’s controversial law SB1070 does indeed overstep the state’s boundary to enforce federal immigration law. The ruling will put an injunction on the most egregious provisions of the law, while other provisions remain intact. The ruling is a major victory for the immigrant rights movement, and for civil rights in America.
The ruling comes after weeks of increased action by immigration advocates.
Here in the Northwest,
- 22 activists (including a NWFCO organizer) were arrested ((King 5, “Immigration reform march blocks Seattle streets,” June 23, 2010, http://www.king5.com/news/local/Immigration-reform-march-blocks-Seattle-streets-97022824.html)) outside the Federal building;
- Washington CAN! did a banner drop at a Seattle Mariners urging MLB to move the 2011 All Star Game out of Arizona;
- DREAM students are surrounding Capitol Hill; and,
- Evangelical leaders are urging Congress to take action.
Across the nation, there have been more than 280 arrests in acts of civil disobedience.
Tuesday’s landmark decision marks the culmination of these campaigns and sends a clear message to states looking to pass copycat legislation: those who turn to demagoguery to score political points will face a dead end in the courts. State governments should instead call on federal representatives to find a real solution to the broken immigration system once and for all.
The pressure is now back on Congress and President Obama to step up and take a more forceful lead in moving comprehensive immigration reform into meaningful federal legislation.
Click here for the full text of Judge Susan Bolton’s decision.