Tucson cop sues to block AZ immigration law
By Brian J. Pedersen Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Thursday, April 29, 2010 9:24 am

A Tucson police officer has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Arizona's new immigration law, claiming the legislation violates numerous constitutional rights and could hinder police investigations in Hispanic-prevalent areas.

The suit, filed Thursday by attorney Richard Martinez in U.S. District Court in Tucson on behalf of Officer Martin H. Escobar, claims SB 1070 violates the First, Fourth, Fifth and 14th Amendment rights of Escobar and all other Tucson Police Department officers.

The suit also claims the new law, which Gov. Jan Brewer signed on April 23, violates federal law because TPD and the city have no authority to perform immigration duties.

Escobar, 45, a 15-year veteran of TPD, noted in the lawsuit his experience patrolling the Hispanic-heavy Operations Division South indicates there's no racially neutral criteria that can be used by officers to determine whether a person is in the country illegally.

Any attempt to confirm immigration status would "seriously impede law enforcement investigations and facilitate the successful commission of crimes in the United States," the suit claims.

Escobar's suit asks for police to be prevented from having to comply with SB 1070, leaving immigration duties to federal law enforcement, and to prevent state legislators from enacting any other laws dealing with immigration.

Check Starnet throughout the day for updates
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article ... ml?print=1