Judge Blocks Portions of S.B. 1070

Just hours before the law was set to go into effect, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked the most controversial parts of S.B. 1070. The law is set to go into effect tomorrow, Thursday, July 29, but without the provisions that concerned the Latino community and undocumented immigrant advocates and activists.

Judge Bolton ruled that law enforcement officers will not be able to ask people for documentation proving their immigration status, nor will they be able to make arrests without a warrant simply because they suspect that a person is undocumented. In addition, Arizona will not be able to penalize immigrants for not carrying their immigration documents with them at all times, nor will it be able to criminalize undocumented individuals for applying for work or working without authorization.

The judge ruled that the law would harm aliens who are in the country legally. She stated, "Requiring Arizona law enforcement agents and agencies to determine the immigration status of every person arrested would harm documented immigrants because it would deprive them of their liberty while their status is being verified."

Judge Bolton ruled that the controversial sections of the law will be delayed until the courts can resolve them. Other provisions of the law and some revisions to an Arizona immigration statute will take effect at 12:01 a.m.