PHOENIX, (Reuters) – A U.S. federal appeals court yesterday kept on hold Arizona’s controversial state law requiring police to check the immigration status of anyone they have detained and suspect may be in the country illegally.
The appellate court, ruling that Arizona improperly meddled in federal issues, also upheld a lower court injunction against provisions in the law requiring immigrants to carry their papers at all times and banning people without proper documents from soliciting for work in public places.
Analysts said the decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent a clear warning to other states that are considering following Arizona’s lead.
The law, signed by Republican Governor Jan Brewer in April 2010, had wide support in the state, which borders Mexico, and across the United States, but was opposed by Democratic President Barack Obama and civil rights groups
