Arizona Cities Sue State Over Immigration Restrictions That Are Too Strict

Mary Jo Pitzi writes for the Arizona Republic:

Gov. Jan Brewer, flanked by key state legislators, reacted with shock Tuesday to a lawsuit by cities and towns and accused the local officials of coddling undocumented immigrants at state expense.

But the lawsuit disputes how state officials enacted the wide-ranging law, not the substance of the law itself.

At issue is a lawsuit filed with the state Supreme Court Monday by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. It argues that the Legislature unconstitutionally approved policy changes that affect local development practices as well as how cities enforce requirements that people show proof of citizenship to receive government benefits.

“Our policy will be to prevent benefits to illegal immigrants,” she said.

The cities agree with that policy, said Ken Strobeck, executive director of the league, which represents 90 cities and towns.

“The law is already clear in Arizona that cities and towns don’t provide services to illegal immigrants,” Strobeck said.

But the cities fear that the new law, which took effect Tuesday, will trigger a flood of lawsuits because it allows anyone to take a city or town to court if they believe the local government provided a public benefit. That could be interpreted as something as simple as a library card, or perhaps even the use of a city street or sidewalk, municipal officials fear. Click here for the rest of the story.