Statement by Wade Henderson on the U.S Department of Justice Lawsuit against Arizona???s Anti-Immigration Law

“The Leadership Conference commends the U.S. Department of Justice for filing the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of SB 1070. The lawsuit strengthens the case for a similar lawsuit filed in May by several of our coalition members – the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; the National Immigration Law Center; the Asian Pacific American Legal Center; the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona; the National Day Laborer Organizing Network; and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

While we understand the very real concern Arizonans have about immigration in their state, the fact remains that immigration is a federal responsibility. The real solution to fixing our broken immigration system is for the White House and Congress to work together to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. In fact, recent polling shows a large majority of those who support the Arizona law also support comprehensive immigration reform.

We intend to work with our coalition to push for comprehensive immigration reform legislation that provides a path to citizenship for undocumented workers, reduces family visa backlogs, ramps up enforcement while respecting civil rights and liberties, and protects the rights of workers regardless of immigration status.”