The Hill
Graham criticizes Obama suit against Ariz. immigration law
By Alexander Bolton - 07/07/10 02:21 PM ET

Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and John Cornyn (Texas) have sided with the state of Arizona in its battle with the Department of Justice over a controversial state immigration law.

Graham’s declaration of opposition to the Justice Department law suit comes as a surprise because Graham called the Arizona law unconstitutional in April.

Graham and Cornyn represented the administration’s best hopes for finding Republican allies in the Senate on immigration reform.

Graham was the lead GOP negotiator in an effort led by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to craft a bipartisan overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws. After Graham pulled out of the talks, pro-immigrant advocacy groups turned to Cornyn in hope that he could fill the role.

Graham said he suspected Democrats were advancing the issue to stir up Hispanic voters to support Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) reelection effort, not as a good-faith effort to change federal immigration law.

Both lawmakers have criticized the administration for challenging the Arizona law, putting distance between themselves and groups pushing for comprehensive reform.

“I believe the DOJ lawsuit will be counter-productive when it comes to finding a solution to our immigration problems,â€