Governor Brewer Moves to Dismiss MALDEF/ACLU Complaint

Even as the United States is on the verge of entering the complex SB 1070 litigation (Randal C. Archibold and Mark Landler, Justice Dept. Will Fight Arizona On Immigration, The New York Times, June 18, 2010), Arizona Governor Jan Brewer moved to dismiss the MALDEF/ACLU complaint, Friendly House v. Whiting, in the Arizona immigration litigation. The governor appears to be following the same legal strategy that she took in the two earlier motions to dismiss. The governor argues that plaintiffs lack standing to assert their claims because they have failed to show that they will suffer harm and that federal law does not preempt the Arizona immigration statute. (Deborah Stocks, abc15.com, June 18, 2010). Meanwhile, the Arizona political structure continues to show signs of stress as Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has withdrawn from representing the State of Arizona in the SB 1070 litigation. Governor Brewer had objected to his representing the State because Goddard has said that he opposes the new immigration legislation. (Ginger Rough, Goddard Withdraws as Lawyer in Immigration Suits, The Arizona Republic, June 19, 2010).