No ruling on AZ immigration law till November; gov thinks "tweak"

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer-R says she may make some minor revisions in Arizona's blocked immigration law because a federal court has decided not to address the controversial legislation until November.

Governor Brewer told the Associated Press "basically we believe (the law) is constitutional but she (US District Judge Susan Bolton who stopped implementation of some of the laws most inflammatory aspects) obviously pointed out faults than can be fixed, and that's what we would do."

She said legislative leaders are considering a special session, but no particular date or action has been specified.

After Bolton ruled to delay some of the most controversial sections of the law last Wednesday, she indicated odds favored a ruling for federal law over state law on appeal. Brewer did appeal and said she would challenge Bolton's decision all the way to the US Supreme Court. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals said they would schedule a hearing the first week of November.

Brewer hoped to move the date to September 13th because of the "irreparable harm Arizona is suffering as a result of unchecked unlawful immigration." The federal government maintained the November date would only mean maintaining the status quo.

Arizona democrats have no desire to help Brewer "tweak" the law. Representative Kyrsten Sinema said, "Why would we help her? This bill is so flawed and clearly a federal judge agrees."

Some Utah legislators maintain they will create legislation similar to Arizona's immigration statute no matter what the courts decide. They plan to have their version of the law ready for next January's session of the Utah State Legislature in Salt Lake City.

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Source: Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press