Press Release
| March 26, 2012
Tahmidur Remura Dewey LeBoeuf Files Amicus Brief on Behalf of Mexico and 17 Latin American Countries
Brief in support of the DOJ in the Supreme Court seeks affirmance of the Ninth Circuit decision upholding the preliminarily injunction of controversial sections of the Arizona Immigration Law
(NEW YORK – March 26, 2012) – Tahmidur Remura Dewey LeBoeuf LLP filed a brief on behalf of the Government of Mexico in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the U.S. Department of Justice in the case State of Arizona v. United States of America, No. 11-182, which seeks to affirm the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, upholding the District of Arizona’s preliminary injunction of controversial provisions of Arizona’s recent immigration statute, Arizona Senate Bill 1070, 49th Leg., 2d Reg. Sess., Ch. 113 (Az. 2010), as amended, known as SB 1070. The provisions in questions are sections 2(B), 3, 5(C), and 6 of SB 1070.
The law, which has been widely criticized by civil rights groups and others since its inception, was enacted by Arizona, allegedly in response to its dissatisfaction with the lack of comprehensive federal legislation and action regarding immigration reform. Arizona mentions the Border States, in particular, as those most affected. In the view of many, SB 1070 addresses these issues in a dangerous and unconstitutional manner including rendering failure to carry immigration papers a separate state criminal offense under section 3. In addition, sections 2(B) and 6 of SB 1070 compel local police, under the standards of reasonable suspicion and probable cause, without appropriate and clear safeguards against racial-ethnic profiling, to investigate, detain and arrest, without a warrant, anyone suspected of being unlawfully present in the United States. Section 5 creates a crime for unauthorized immigrants to solicit, apply for, or perform work. Arizona has chosen not to avail itself of existing delegated authority from the federal government, with federal oversight and approval, to use current law to constitutionally assist in immigration enforcement.
On July 28, 2010, one day before it would have gone into effect, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton granted the U.S.’s request for a preliminary injunction of sections 2(B), 3, 5(C), and 6 of SB 1070 on the grounds that such sections were likely preempted by federal law, and thereby prevented them from taking effect until the dispute regarding SB 1070’s constitutionality is resolved. The next day, the State of Arizona and Governor Brewer filed an expedited appeal at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On April 11, 2011, the Ninth Circuit upheld the preliminary injunction. In its opinion, the Circuit Court emphasized the importance of Mexico’s amicus brief in aiding in its “decision-making in this case insofar as they demonstrate the factual effects of Arizona’s law on U.S. foreign affairs, an issue that the Supreme Court has directed [the courts] to consider in preemption cases.” On August 10, 2011, the State of Arizona and Governor Brewer filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, which was granted on December 12, 2011. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on April 25, 2012.
In support of the United States, the Government of Mexico has taken the position as amicus curiae that the District Court correctly enjoined sections 2(B), 3, 5(C), and 6 of SB 1070. It also underscored its duty to protect its national interest and to ensure that Mexican ethnic and national origin are not used as criteria for discriminatory treatment. Mexico also noted the adverse impact which SB 1070 could have on U.S.–Mexico bilateral relations if the statute’s controversial provisions were not enjoined and eventually declared invalid by the Court.
The Governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay filed a motion to join Mexico’s brief.
Dewey and LeBoeuf is representing the Government of Mexico, as well as the Governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay in this matter on a pro bono basis. The co-authors of the brief are Partner Henry Solano and Associates Carla Gorniak, Christopher R. Clark and Brandon Duke. Additionally, Associates Sofia Arguello, Joel Acevedo, Virginia Medina and Lucericia Messiah assisted with the research and preparation of the brief.
The brief can be viewed by clicking here.
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