Chronology of Litigation Challenging the Legal Arizona Workers Act

  • In July, various business and other interest groups filed a lawsuit challenging the Legal Arizona Workers Act on the grounds that the Act violates provisions of the U.S. and Arizona Constitutions.

  • On November 14, Judge Neil Wake of the federal district court heard arguments on this case.

  • On December 7, Judge Wake dismissed the lawsuit against the Legal Arizona Workers Act, including efforts to have the law delayed or voided completely on the grounds that the plaintiff business groups should have sued the county attorneys because the county attorneys have enforcement power under the Legal Arizona Workers Act and on other legal grounds.

  • On December 10, the business and other groups refilled their lawsuit, naming Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and the other county attorneys as defendants.  The Plaintiffs also asked the court for a temporary restraining order, which would prevent the law from going into effect on January 1, 2008

  • On December 18, Judge Wake heard arguments on the Plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order.

  • On December 21, Judge Wake denied the Plaintiffs' request for a temporary restraining order. Later that day, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals also denied a request by the Plaintiffs to prevent the law from taking effect.

  • Since these legal efforts to block the law from taking effect were unsuccessful, the law took effect as prescribed by the Legislature on January 1, 2008.

  • In addition to denying the Plaintiffs' request that that law be temporarily blocked from taking effect in December, on February 7, 2008 Judge Wake denied the Plaintiff's request that the law be permanently blocked.
    Click here for a copy of that opinion.

  • In response to Judge Wake’s ruling, the Plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and several emergency motions asking the Ninth Circuit to block the law from being enforced. On February 28, 2008, the Ninth Circuit denied Plaintiffs’ emergency motions. Click here for a copy of that ruling. The merits of the case will still be decided by the Ninth Circuit, but there is not yet word on when that case will be heard or ruled on.

  • Please check this website for the latest updates on this litigation.

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Federal Judge in Missouri Upholds Law Denying Licenses to Employers Who Hire Illegal Immigrants.
Click here to read more.