Gutted Arizona Immigration Law Goes Into Effect

Justices set for controversial year

(NEWSER) - The Supreme Court has added another high-profile case to its slate: Justices will examine the Arizona immigration law that has sparked nationwide controversy, the AP reports. They'll rule on a US appeals court decision that barred portions of the law, including a measure requiring police investigating other matters to check a person's immigration status if they suspect he or she is an illegal immigrant. More»

Will announce endorsement next week: source

(NEWSER) - Arizona’s fiery Sheriff Joe Arpaio has chosen his candidate for 2012, and it’s Rick Perry. The self-styled “America’s Toughest Sheriff” will endorse the Texas governor next week, a source confirms to ABC News and NBC News . Perry has reportedly spoken by phone with the illegal immigration hardliner since entering the race. Arpaio will campaign with Perry in New Hampshire next week, the source says. More»

Election centered on the immigration law he championed

(NEWSER) - An underfunded upstart challenger appears to have knocked out Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, in a historic recall election seen mainly as a referendum on the harsh immigration law Pearce championed. While the results aren’t yet official, with all districts reporting, challenger Jerry Lewis was up 52.4% to 45.4%, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Pearce seemed to expect defeat. “If being recalled is the price for keeping one’s promises, so be it,” he told the Arizona Republic . More»

She criticizes president and other foes of Arizona's immigration law

(NEWSER) - After Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer met with President Obama in the heat of last year's fight over the state's immigration law, she told reporters it was "cordial." She has a much different take in a book coming out next month, according to the Arizona Republic and AP :

• The meeting: "We sat down and started with some chitchat," she writes. "But after a few minutes, the president's tone got serious—and condescending." She also complains that Obama "lectured" her on SB 1070 that day and faults him for publicly mocking the law later.

Administration may challenge laws in a half dozen states

(NEWSER) - Even as Alabama’s stringent new immigration law takes effect today , the Obama administration is ramping up efforts to challenge it and other laws like it around the country. The administration has already sued Arizona and Alabama, its lawyers are talking with Utah officials about another suit there, and Georgia, Indiana, and South Carolina are all in its crosshairs as well, government officials tell the Washington Post . More»