AZ Gov Appeals Immigration Ruling

Tensions continue to mount in Arizona: Governor Jan Brewer announced that she’s appealing a federal judge’s recent decision to block the most aggressive provisions of the immigration law. Brewer requested a speedy appeal, and the 9th Circuit Court agreed. Meanwhile, protesters squared off against riot gear-clad police at the headquarters of Maricopa County Sherriff Joe Arpaio, who vowed to proceed with a “crime sweep” that he’d planned before the law was blocked. Legal experts say the case will make its way to the Supreme Court, though it could take years to get there. In the meantime, the federal court has banned provisions that would have required police to check immigration status while enforcing other laws, along with warrantless arrests of suspected illegal immigrants and harsh punishments for failing to carry registration papers.