Feds Sue South Carolina Over New Immigration Law

State's proposed law is one of the nation's toughest
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 31, 2011 4:39 PM CDT
Justice Department Sues South Carolina Over New Immigration Law
US Attorney General Eric Holder speaks during the 66th session of the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters on Monday, Sept. 19, 2011.   (AP Photo/Andrew Burton)

The federal government is suing South Carolina to put a stop to the state's tough new immigration law. US Attorney Bill Nettles said today the government wants a judge to stop enforcement of the legislation. The law requires that officers call federal immigration officials if they suspect someone is in the country illegally following a traffic stop for something else.

Nettles said the law is unconstitutional and violates people's right to due process. South Carolina's law takes effect Jan. 1 and is among the toughest in the nation, requiring police to determine immigration status during any unlawful stop where officers have "reasonable suspicion" of a suspect's immigration status. The US Justice Department is challenging similar laws in Arizona and Alabama. A spokesman for South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said the state had not received a copy of the lawsuit. (More immigration law stories.)

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