Opponents of Arizona Law Seek Class-Action Status

A judge set an April 9 hearing for considering a request by opponents of Arizona’s 2010 immigration enforcement law to grant class-action status in their lawsuit that seeks to declare the law unconstitutional.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and other opponents are asking U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton to grant class-action status for people whose immigration status was questioned because of their race, day laborers deterred from seeking work in public and people discouraged from traveling with immigrations in Arizona because of the law.

Gov. Jan Brewer’s lawyers opposed the request for class-action status and argue the proposed class lacks legal standing to pursue the case.

Bolton blocked enforcement of the law’s most controversial portions, but allowed other provisions to take effect.