Judge holding hearings on whether Arizona immigration law should take effect

Judge holding hearings on Arizona immigration law

PHOENIX — A federal judge is preparing to hold a hearing in a packed Phoenix courtroom on whether Arizona’s immigration law should take effect next week.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton first will lead a Thursday morning hearing on whether the law should be put on hold and whether a lawsuit challenging the crackdown should be dismissed. That’s in a case filed by civil rights groups and others.

She will hold a separate hearing in the afternoon on the U.S. Justice Department’s request for a preliminary injunction blocking implementation.

About 120 spectators gathered in the courtroom, some standing in a second-floor gallery. Approximately 30 protesters prayed outside the courthouse before the hearing.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PHOENIX (AP) — Some 30 protesters stood in a circle and prayed outside the federal courthouse in Phoenix before a hearing to determine if Arizona’s immigration law should take effect next week.

A federal judge will hear arguments from lawyers for Arizona’s governor, the federal government and civil rights groups over whether the state’s new immigration law ought to be put on hold.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton will consider a request by the U.S. Justice Department to block enforcement of the law. She also will hear arguments in a challenge by civil rights groups.

The law requires officers, while enforcing other laws, to check a person’s immigration status if there’s a reasonable suspicion that they are here illegally.