Latino Policy Coalition Statement on the Status of Arizona's SB 1070 Law and the Federal Lawsuit Brought by the U.S. Department of Justice

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Latino Policy Coalition, a national non-partisan, non-profit consortium of the country's leading Latino research organizations, issued the following statement today concerning the U.S. Justice Department's suit challenging the legality of the state of Arizona's recently enacted law – SB 1070.

"We are pleased and proud that the U.S. Department of Justice has asserted its right to challenge the constitutionality of Arizona's discriminatory SB 1070 law.  SB 1070 in effect is a hate crime masquerading as an official act," said Latino Policy Coalition Chairman Jim Gonzalez.  

"Conservative extremists in Arizona like Governor Jan Brewer, Senator Russell Pearce, and Sherriff Joe Arpaio have encouraged extremists in 21 states to introduce copycat state legislation that not only condones, but promotes racial profiling tactics that endanger entire groups of innocent people," continued Gonzalez.

"While it is important to stop legislation like SB 1070 from ever being a law in any state, the underlying cause has yet to be addressed – action on the part of the federal government to enact comprehensive immigration reform."

"Until the Congress and President Obama enact meaningful immigration reform, other states across the country will consider following in the ill-advised footsteps of Arizona and those that seek to divide our nation.   As a nation, we deserve better.  Now is the time for the Congress to act," concluded Gonzalez.

About the Latino Policy Coalition

The Latino Policy Coalition is a national non-partisan, non-profit consortium of the country's leading Latino research organizations and scholars.  The LPC analyzes, through nationwide public opinion surveys, policy issues affecting the Latino community. Chaired by former San Francisco City and County Supervisor Jim Gonzalez, the LPC seeks to highlight Latino community views on key national issues; and thus stimulate public policy debate among local, state and national elected officials.

www.latinopolicycoalition.org

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Jim Gonzalez

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SOURCE Latino Policy Coalition