PHOENIX (CBS5) -
One of the most controversial parts of SB1070 is officially in place.
Police agencies across the state must now check the immigration status of anyone they legitimately stop and have reason to believe are in the country illegally.
It was just two years ago that protestors rallied at the state capitol to take a stand against Arizona's tough new immigration law.
SB1070 was immediately challenged in court and parts of it thrown out.
On Tuesday, a federal judge gave the go-ahead, allowing one of the key provisions to take effect.
The judge lifted an injunction against the "show me your papers clause" that requires officers to make a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained or arrested if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally
Gov. Jan Brewer said in a statement:
"I've never claimed that SB 1070 would cure Arizona's problems with illegal immigration.
"What SB 1070 does represent is one more tool that our officers can use in collaborating with federal authorities to reduce the crime and other impacts associated with illegal immigration."
Alessandra Soler is executive director with the Arizona branch of the ACLU.
She said what happened Tuesday will pave the way for more widespread discrimination in Arizona.
"Today's decision by the judge will lead to intensified illegal detention of US citizens and lawful residents," Soler said. "It will lead to additional racial profiling."
Joe Clure, with the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, told CBS5 that the court ruling will not have any impact on how officers interact with the community.
"You're going to see no changes with how officers act or conduct themselves or conduct investigations or business," Clure said. "The constitution is not a new document, a new idea. It's something police officers report or cherish because those are also their rights."
The law does not give officers the right to walk up to anyone at random and check their legal status, only if someone is detained for possibly breaking the law.
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