Court Asked to Block Arizona Immigration Law

A civil rights group asked a federal appeals court to block a new Arizona law. What does the law do?

1. It requires proof that a person is not an illegal immigrant when applying for some government services.

2. It requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

3. It says government workers who do not report illegal immigrants seeking benefits can face jail time.

So why did the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund ask the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to block the law? They contend that the measure will harm families who depend on public benefits for basic necessities.

Seems to me that people who reside in this country and are not citizens are not legally guaranteed the same rights and services as those who are citizens -- end of story. Until they go through the appropriate legal channels and apply for and receive citizenship or a visa, it's impractical to grant them the rights and privileges of citizenship.

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