Arizona immigration law faces federal challenge Thursday

(News Today) - The Obama administration's challenge to the controversial Arizona immigration law goes before a federal judge Thursday.

The Justice Department's lawsuit, seeking to stop the law from going into effect, is one of two challenges scheduled for a hearing Thursday.

The first challenge by a group of more than 100 individuals and civil rights groups will be heard Thursday morning. In the afternoon, the Justice Department's lawsuit will have a hearing in a Phoenix federal courtroom.

Both cases will be in front of U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, according to court documents.

The law, signed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer in April, requires police to question people about their status if they have been detained for another reason and if there's reason to suspect they're in the United States illegally. It also targets those who hire illegal immigrant laborers or knowingly transport them.

Critics have said the law will promote racial profiling. Supporters of the bill say its aim is only to enforce federal law.

The law is scheduled to go into effect July 29.

It is unclear how Bolton will rule on the cases. She heard another legal challenge to the law last week, which was brought by an Arizona police officer.

She did not make a ruling in that case.

The lawsuits are among seven that have been filed against the law.

Source : CNN

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