Immigration lawSixteen nations challenge South Carolina immigration law

Published 10 November 2011

Sixteen nations are challenging a controversial new South Carolina immigration law; Mexico, Honduras, and Chile as well as thirteen other countries from Latin America and the Caribbean have asked to join the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against the South Carolina law aimed at curbing undocumented immigrants

Sixteen nations are challenginga controversial new South Carolina immigration law.

Mexico, Honduras, and Chile as well as thirteen other countries from Latin America and the Caribbean have asked to join the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against the South Carolina law aimed at curbing undocumented immigrants.

Under the law, police officers would be authorized to contact federal immigration officials if they suspect someone has entered the country illegally.

The sixteen nations argue that the new law would encourage racial profiling and discrimination against their citizens.

The Justice Department is seeking to prevent the law from taking effect in January on the grounds that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government and states have no jurisdiction.

In the past, other controversial immigration laws like Arizona’s SB 1070, drew international criticism with Mexico asking the U.S. federal court to declare the law unconstitutional.

Felipe Calderon, the president of Mexico, called SB 1070 “discriminatory” and directed government lawyers to file a legal brief in support of the five lawsuits challenging the law. The country argued that its interests as well as the interest of its citizens were at stake.

In reaction to SB 1070, Mexico also issued a travel warning to all citizens visiting, working, or studying in Arizona.