Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

Statement

"Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal's heard arguments regarding the State of Arizona's request to lift the injunction put in place by the federal district court in July regarding enforcement SB 1070.

"My counsel, John Bouma, argued that this case is about what a state -- any state -- can do about a failed federal immigration system that even President Obama acknowledges is broken. There are very serious crimes associated with this failure, including human smuggling, drug trafficking and other activities involving coyotes in Arizona, as acknowledged by Judge Bolton. Arizona is on the front line in a fight against crime that is spilling over the international border. As noted in the court record, the federal government has essentially had to cede a vast territory inside the State of Arizona to the drug runners and human smugglers.

"With a federal government that cannot or will not do its job, Arizona determined that Arizona law enforcement officers would assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws to the full extent permitted by federal law. The District Court applied the wrong legal standard of review and issued a preliminary injunction that preserves the status quo -- a status quo that is unacceptable to the people lawfully present in Arizona, many whose lives are affected on a daily basis.

Although the judges asked challenging questions of both sides during this morning's hearing, we are hopeful that after carefully considering the arguments, the Ninth Circuit will lift the stay and allow SB 1070 to be enforced. The health, welfare and safety of the citizens of Arizona are irreparably harmed every day the courts allow SB 1070 to be put on hold and the federal government refuses to enforce all immigration laws."

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