AILA Applauds Arizona Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 28, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) applauds the decision of Judge Susan R. Bolton of the U.S. District Court for Arizona enjoining the most damaging and dangerous provisions of Arizona's SB 1070, which were set to go into effect tomorrow. With the stroke of a pen, Judge Bolton has restored the rule of law to the citizens of Arizona.

The ruling underscores the need for a comprehensive overhaul of our dysfunctional immigration system and makes clear that America needs solutions, not mean spirited laws which are based on the misguided notion that the darker a person's tone, the more likely they are illegal.

"A patchwork of different state and local immigration laws are counterproductive and no substitute for comprehensive, federal action," said David Leopold, president of AILA. "It is the Federal Government's responsibility to fix our broken immigration system with workable solutions. This includes effective federal border security, a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants and a legal visa system for future needs."

AILA stands ready to work with President Obama and Congress to fashion a safe, orderly and fair immigration system that meets the needs of American families and business and keeps our nation competitive into the 21st century. Leopold concluded, "Laws like Arizona's are harmful and would strain and burden law enforcement resources, create an atmosphere of fear of law enforcement officials in immigrant communities thereby inhibiting victims and witnesses of crimes from coming forward, and tax state and local budgets to pay for inevitable legal challenges."

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.