Lummis Opposes Administration's Efforts to Block Arizona Law

Press Release

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) joined 76 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and five U.S. Senators in signing on to an amicus brief opposing the Obama Administration's recent lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law, SB 1070.

The brief, written by the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, states that the Arizona law is in compliance with federal immigration policy which already provides for state and federal cooperation in immigration enforcement.

The Arizona Legislature passed SB 1070 in April. The bill gives local law enforcement the ability to question suspected illegal immigrants during otherwise lawful contact. It also requires immigrants to carry registration documents, which is already mandated by federal law. The Justice Department's lawsuit challenges SB 1070 on the grounds that the law oversteps federal authority.

"The Obama Administration argues that the enforcement of immigration laws is a federal responsibility. Considering the decades of unchecked illegal immigration, violence, and drug activity along the border, I think it's safe to say the federal government has failed miserably to enforce the law. Arizona is acting on behalf of its citizens to ensure their safety and security," Lummis said.

This is the second amicus brief Lummis has signed regarding the Arizona immigration law. Last week, Lummis joined 17 members of Congress in signing an amicus brief written by the Washington Legal Foundation opposing an ACLU lawsuit that challenges the Arizona law.

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