In a letter to Attorney General Holder, Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX), Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, and 18 other Members of Congress criticized the Obama administration’s decision to challenge Arizona’s 2010 immigration enforcement law, SB1070.

“It’s certainly an interesting way for the Obama administration to celebrate America’s Independence Day – with a lawsuit against a state trying to enforce laws which are already on the books to secure borders and protect residents from illegal immigration and drug cartels,” said McKeon.  The Justice Department’s lawsuit against Arizona grossly goes against common sense; the agency and Administration should instead be supporting states such as Arizona, not tying state leaders’ hands with bureaucratic red tape.”

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In the letter, the members wrote:  “Arizona has taken a reasonable, constitutional approach to dealing with a problem that has been ignored by the Obama Administration.  Arizona’s law simply applies state penalties to acts already illegal under federal law.

“This lawsuit reveals the Obama Administration’s contempt for immigration laws and the people of Arizona.  It reveals contempt for the majority of the American people who support Arizona’s efforts to reduce human smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

“The new Arizona statute is harmonious with federal immigration law and uses current federal criminal provisions as the basis for state criminal provisions.  And in barring racial profiling, the Arizona law explicitly adheres to the strict standards of the U.S. Constitution.

“The Arizona law simply requires non-citizens to follow the federal law!”

The letter was signed by Representatives Lamar Smith (TX-21), Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (CA-25), Steve King (IA-05), Trent Franks (AZ-02), Ed Royce (CA-40), Todd Tiahrt (KS-04), Dana Rohrabacher (CA-46), Sue Myrick (NC-09), Elton Gallegly (CA-24), Marsha Blackburn (TN-07), Dan Burton (IN-05), Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05), Gary Miller (CA-42), Gregg Harper (MS-03), Brian Bilbray (CA-50), Darrell Issa (CA-49), John Carter (TX-31), Peter King (NY-03), Jason Chaffetz (UT-03), Jeff Miller (FL-01).