Latin America Monitors Arizona Battle

Latin American countries will be closely watching the court battle over Arizona's new law, which began today in a Phoenix courtroom.

In Americas Quarterly, an article highlights the discussion in a courtroom where the U.S. deputy solicitor general, representing the Justice Department, will argue against a private lawyer defending Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and Arizona.

At issue in the case, United States v. the state of Arizona and Gov. Janice K. Brewer, is the state's recently signed law requiring citizens to provide proof of citizenship and asking police officers to investigate the legal status of anyone they suspect of criminal activity.

Writer Jason Marczak point out that as the sending country for 30 percent of immigrants in the U.S., Mexico retains a vested interest in the outcome.

Mexico is one of many countries -- including Ecuador, El Salvador and Nicaragua -- fighting the Arizona law. At least seven countries have filed friends of the court briefs arguing against the law.

The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act is supposed to go into effect one week from today.

The Washington Post has a list of the case's main players here.

Also today, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard told Congress that the country's Attorney General, Eric Holder, has the duty to challenge the state's law if he finds it unconstitutional, the AP reported.

Sources: Americas Quarterly, Washington Post, AP

Photo: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, phoenixnewtimes.com