AG King Reaction to SCOTUS Immigration Ruling

Monday, June 25, 2012

(SANTA FE)---Attorney General Gary King says today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned parts of Arizona’s immigration law is neither a victory nor a loss for New Mexico.

“New Mexico continues to focus on border security and preventing criminal activity by those found to be here illegally,” says AG King.  “Today’s ruling by the Court allows us to concentrate our limited resources to that purpose while leaving the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws.”

Attorney General King appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the potential effects in New Mexico of a court decision on Arizona’s controversial immigration law. The AG said that while state’s rights are very important to all border states, to the extent that federal and state governments can cooperate on immigration law enforcement, it would further the task of improving immigration policy concerning illegal entry to the United States.

AG King also told Fox News that people illegally enter the state for different reasons and it makes sense to follow federal direction that focuses on those who would do harm to our country and/or engage in criminal activities.