9th Circuit Ruling in Arizona S.B. 1070 Case Encourages Rampant and Unfettered Lawlessness, Charges FAIR

News provided by

Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)

Apr 12, 2011, 11:46 ET

Congress Must Act to Reassert Constitutional Authority and Protect the Public Interest

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) sharply criticized the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal's highly politicized ruling which blocks key provisions of Arizona's immigration enforcement law, S.B. 1070. The decision essentially strips local law enforcement of any authority to enforce immigration laws except within strict parameters set by Homeland Security.

"Monday's ruling turns the Constitution on its head, empowering the president to make immigration policy by executive fiat," stated Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "The decision also leaves state and local governments at the mercy of an administration that, for political reasons, refuses to enforce the nation's immigration laws."

FAIR is urging Congress to reassert authority over immigration policy in order to limit the executive branch's discretionary policy of widespread non-enforcement. Congress must clarify its intent that state and local governments be full partners in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

"The ruling poses a threat to national self-determination and the ability of states to ensure a decent quality of life of their citizens," charged Stein. "The inability of state and local governments to enforce the laws the executive branch won't turns the political whims of the president into the de facto law of the land.

"States must continue to fight to ensure the executive branch is held accountable for its wholesale unwillingness to carry out its responsibilities to enforce immigration laws. States can and must pursue state-based remedies to the Obama administration's refusal to place the interests of citizens and national security ahead of its political agenda," concluded Stein.

About FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. Visit FAIR's website at www.fairus.org.

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)