Obama deflects question about boycotting Arizona over immigration; Calls it people decision

Obama on Arizona: Presidents don’t do boycotts

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama says the decision to boycott Arizona over its tough new law cracking down on immigration is for private citizens to decide, not the president of the United States.

Speaking at a White House news conference, Obama said he doesn’t approve or oppose the boycotts that some cities and groups have called for in response to the Arizona law, which makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally.

Obama reaffirmed his oppposition to the law, saying it’s the wrong approach. He has asked the Justice Department to review the law to determine whether it violates civil liberties.

Obama says he will continue to push lawmakers to work on a bipartisan approach to comprehensive immigration reform.