PHOENIX — The Mexican government has urged a U.S. court to stop Arizona from enforcing a section of the state’s 2010 immigration law that prohibits the harboring of illegal aliens.
Lawyers representing Mexico asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in a filing Wednesday to uphold a lower-court ruling that blocked police from enforcing the ban. Mexico argued the ban harms diplomatic relations with the United States, undermines the U.S.’ ability to speak to a foreign country with one voice and encourages the marginalization of Mexicans and people who appear to be from Latin America.
The harboring ban was in effect from late July 2010 until U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked its enforcement on Sept. 5. Two weeks before Bolton shelved the ban, she said during a hearing that she knew of no arrests that were made under the provision.
The prohibition has been overshadowed by other parts of the law, including a requirement that went into effect on Sept. 18 that officers, while enforcing other laws, question the immigration status of those suspected of being in the country illegally.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the questioning requirement earlier this year, but also struck down other sections of the law, such as a requirement that immigrants obtain or carry immigration registration papers. The nation’s highest court didn’t consider the harboring ban.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed the measure known as SB1070 into law andserves as the statute’s chief defender, has asked the appeals court to reverse Bolton’s ruling on the harboring ban.
Front Section, Pages 2 on 12/28/2012