States' immigration drive hits impasse in the courts

[ej510]

http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20110712&t=2&i=457509305&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=2011-07-12T190801Z_01_BTRE76B1H5G00_RTROPTP_0_USA-IMMIGRATION-ARIZONA

(Reuters) - A year ago, immigrant labor activist Salvador Reza thought Arizona's tough state immigration crackdown could empty the work site he ran in north Phoenix.

But 12 months on, after a federal judge blocked key parts of the law, day laborers still line up from dawn to tout for work, occasionally heckled by protesters who want them gone. In short, deadlock.

"This is low intensity warfare that's going to go on for years," said Reza.

The stalemate at the sun-baked day labor site in Phoenix is emblematic of the impasse around the country as other states have followed Arizona's lead on immigration, only to be knocked back by the courts.

Parts of Arizona's law -- notably a measure requiring police to quiz those they detained and suspected of being in the country illegally about their immigration status -- were blocked hours before they took effect last July, after a judge ruled that immigration matters are Washington's responsibility.

The wave of judicial rebuttals continued in May, when a federal judge temporarily blocked Arizona-style enforcement provisions in a package of immigration laws passed by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert in March.

Cont'd at the link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/12/us-immigration-states-idUSTRE76B5ZO20110712

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. Repubs don't understand the concept of jurisdiction.

States can have no jurisdiction over immigration and naturalization; that's Federal.

They can pass all the laws they want commanding state and local police to pull people over and check their papers, but they will all be struck down. That's not the job of local police.

[pampango]

2. ""If you look at the Republican House, it's complete intransigence. ...

There's no desire to look for some realistic compromise reform". :banghead: