CE director: States shouldn't follow Arizona lead

From the Associated Press on July 14:

RICHMOND, Va. - States should not follow Arizona's lead and enact strict new immigration laws because ridding the country of illegal immigrants is the federal government's job, the director of the nation's immigration enforcement agency said Tuesday.

Arizona's law, which takes effect July 29, directs police enforcing other laws to ask about a suspect's immigration status if there is reason to believe that the person is in the United States illegally.

Opponents have said the law will lead to racial profiling, and so far seven lawsuits, including one from the federal government, have been filed to try to stop its implementation.

So far, lawmakers in about 20 states have said they will push similar measures, with bills already filed in five states - South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Michigan.

"I don't think that 50 different immigration enforcement laws is the answer to our immigration troubles," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton said in an interview. "I understand the frustration that many communities feel over the question of illegal immigration, but having a patchwork of state laws, I don't think is the right way to go."

In addition to calls for state laws, local governments in several states have either passed similar laws or resolutions supporting Arizona's statute.

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