Monday's Immigration Roundup

The issue of immigration flooded media outlets last week after the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in Arizona on Tuesday, challenging the state’s recent immigration law, formally known as Senate Bill 1070.

While the lawsuit itself is huge news (how often does the United States of America sue a state?), it does not come entirely as a surprise. During an interview with an Ecuadorian news station earlier this month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton let slip that the Justice Department would pursue direct legal action against Arizona in response to its immigration law.

As it’s now apparent that Clinton was not pulling a fast one on us, numerous questions remain on what this lawsuit means for the bigger picture.

Firstly, while opponents of SB 1070 often criticize the bill for its potential to lead to racial profiling, the lawsuit largely ignores the discrimination factor, and is instead focusing on the argument that the law is invalid because it interferes with the federal government's preeminent authority to administer and enforce immigration laws.

The Department of Justice defends its approach as the most judicious way to suspend the state law from taking effect on July 29. However, Republican leaders have seized the opportunity to speak out against the Obama administration. “It’s nice to see the Obama administration finally concede there is no allowance for racial profiling in Arizona’s immigration law,” Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams said.

One of the most notable implications of the lawsuit against Arizona is its effects on the November elections and the candidates in the race. The topic of immigration reform is now being used to further polarize the Republican and Democrat parties, and for better or worse will be a key factor in how Americans vote this fall.

Initial thoughts are that Republicans, who have generally expressed more support for SB 1070 than the Democrats, will receive a boost in votes. This is furthered by recent polls which show that majority of Americans support SB 1070 and oppose the lawsuit brought against Arizona. In an effort to maintain support for his party, Obama visited Missouri and Nevada this week to rally for their Democratic senate nominees.

Since the lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has asked for monetary donations to defend the controversial immigration law. According to the Associated Press, the newly created fund has already pulled in about $500,000, with nearly 80 percent of those donations coming in from out of state.

Whichever way you stand on SB 1070, be sure to register to vote in November’s election and support your candidates when it counts the most.