- Title: USA: Battle lines remain in Arizona immigration fight
- Date: 30th July 2010
- Summary: PHOENIX, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES (JULY 29, 2010) (REUTERS) POLICE SHUTTING OFF A STREET FOR MARCHERS VARIOUS OF MARCHERS PROTESTING NEW LAW
- Embargoed: 14th August 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Legal System
- Reuters ID: LVA6O9XAFGI6YDQW1EIQX84ED0TV
- Story Text: The battle in Arizona over immigration continues the day after a judge blocks key parts of the state's tough new law.
Around 100people marched through downtown Phoenix on Thursday (July 29) to protest Arizona's tough new immigration law, a day after a judge blocked key parts of the measure just hours before it was to take effect.
"I think it is just beginning," said protester Maryanna Vidal. "The judge only put the law on hold, but there is still a lot of fight and a lot of work to do. I mean, this is just the beginning."
Jorge Yurez said the mood among protesters was positive.
"We're still feeling good because we did a lot for this and now we feel good because we're seeing the results right now," he said.
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked several of the law's provisions, including one that required police officers to determine the immigration status of a person detained or arrested if the officer believed the person was not in the country legally. Bolton also halted provisions requiring immigrants to carry their papers at all times, making it illegal for people without proper documents to solicit for work in public places.
In front of a home improvement store in downtown Phoenix, undocumented day laborers were relieved they could still look for casual employment.
"We thank God and we're comfortable being here waiting for work," said Franco Estimea, a day laborer.
"We feel calmer because we were all very stressed that the law was going to be applied that they were going to grab us and arrest us and we were, above all, nervous because of this unnecessary situation," said Miguel Rezendse.
The Republican-controlled Arizona state legislature passed the law three months ago to try to drive nearly half a million illegal immigrants out of Arizona and stem the flow of human and drug smugglers over the border from Mexico.
The ruling is a significant victory for U.S. President Barack Obama, who wants to break the deadlock with Republicans to pass a comprehensive immigration law tightening border security and giving millions of illegal immigrants a shot at legal status -- an already difficult task before November's congressional elections.
In front of the Capitol building in Phoenix, Travis Franklin mounted a one-man protest in favor of the law, carrying a sign reading: no deal for illegals - deportation or bust.
"I support legal immigration -- green cards, work visas, all that. I don't support illegal immigration, let's get that straight. I love immigration. We bring in new people, new ideas and new thoughts, but when you break the law, which is after 30 days, you're illegal, you know, that's a crime. And obviously Susan Bolton doesn't agree that's a crime any more. I'd like to say we can support everybody but we can't," he said.
Immigration as an issue has festered in U.S. politics for years and attempts to overhaul the system have failed, most recently in 2007 when Republicans torpedoed reforms pushed by George W. Bush, then the Republican president.
There are an estimated 10.8 million illegal immigrants in the United States, a country of more than 300 million people. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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