Feds sue to overturn Ariz. immigration law

WASHINGTON, July 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department Tuesday filed suit against Arizona's immigration law, saying it unconstitutionally interferes with federal authority.

The Justice Department brief charges SB 1070 puts significant burdens on federal agencies, diverting resources from higher priorities.

"The Constitution and federal law do not permit the development of a patchwork of state and local immigration policies throughout the country," the brief says, saying such a patchwork would seriously disrupt federal immigration enforcement. The brief said Arizona's action "crossed a constitutional line."

Justice said the Arizona law also would lead to the harassment and detention of foreign visitors and legal immigrants along with U.S. citizens who cannot immediately prove their status.

In accompanying declarations, the police chiefs of Phoenix and Tucson said the measure would interfere with their ability to police their communities.

"Arizonans are understandably frustrated with illegal immigration, and the federal government has a responsibility to comprehensively address those concerns," Attorney General Eric Holder said. "But diverting federal resources away from dangerous aliens such as terrorism suspects and aliens with criminal records will impact the entire country's safety. Setting immigration policy and enforcing immigration laws is a national responsibility. Seeking to address the issue through a patchwork of state laws will only create more problems than it solves."

Arizona lawmakers approved SB 1070, which requires state and local police to check the immigration status of anyone they encounter in the field they suspect is in the United States illegally. The measure incensed many Latinos and civil-rights advocates who have blasted the rule as racial profiling.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has said the state would not back down on the law, which was aimed at reducing crime involving illegal immigrants.