Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming that Arizona’s recently enacted immigration law violates the U.S. constitution. The lawsuit asks the court to stop the implementation of the law set to take effect on July 29. The suit alleges Arizona exceeded its authority by passing legislation controlling immigration because control over immigration law is reserved for the federal government under the constitution.
Whether or not the Arizona law violates the U.S. constitution is for the courts to decide. NAFSA members clearly expressed their opposition to the law during this year’s NAFSA annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri, by passing a resolution “calling for the immediate repeal of anti-immigrant legislation by the State of Arizona.” The resolution also urges other states not to enact similar laws, urges the U.S. Congress to move expeditiously to enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation, and resolves that the association will not hold national or regional meetings in Arizona “until this situation is rectified.”
Do you want to add your voice to the opposition against Arizona’s anti-immigrant law? You can take a stand by telling your state not to follow in Arizona’s misguided footsteps, encouraging your Senators to support comprehensive immigration reform, and by spreading the word through social media so others can take a stand too by visiting Connecting Our World’s campaign page.