Press Release

Lends Support to Legal Brief in Defense of Arizona

Congressman Jerry Moran continued to show his support for Arizona's new immigration law today by signing an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief in defense of Arizona's efforts to enforce federal immigration law.

"The federal government's failure to secure the border has left states, like Arizona, to address this problem on their own," Moran said. "Arizona's law is designed to assist with the enforcement of federal immigration law. We are a nation of laws and they must be enforced."

In May, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations filed a class action lawsuit to prevent implementation of Arizona's immigration law, SB 1070. In its legal challenge, the ACLU argued that Arizona's law unconstitutionally intrudes on the federal government's authority to regulate immigration.

The amicus curiae signed by Moran and 17 other Members of Congress addresses the role of Arizona's law in assisting with federal enforcement of immigration laws. It also points out that federal law already solicits assistance with immigration enforcement.

Moran was joined in his support of Arizona's new immigration law by U.S. Representatives Dan Burton (IN), Trent Franks (AZ), Sam Graves (MO), Wally Herger (CA), Duncan Hunter (CA), Steve King (IA), Doug Lamborn (CO), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Tom McClintock (CA), Gary Miller (CA), Sue Myrick (NC), Ted Poe (TX), Denny Rehberg (MT), Dana Rohrabacher (CA), Phil Roe (TN), Mike Simpson (ID) and Lamar Smith (TX), who all signed the brief.