ARIZONA: Tucson & Flagstaff Sue Own State Over Immigration Law

Concerned about its impact on tourism, the Arizona cities of Tuscon and Flagstaff are suing their own state government over the recent immigration law.

They are the first municipalities in Arizona to approve legal challenges to the law. Earlier this week, proposed litigation in Phoenix took a hit when the city attorney said Mayor Phil Gordon lacks the authority to file suit without the support of the City Council. The new state law requires local and state law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they're in the country illegally. The Flagstaff City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that says it's an unfunded mandate to carry out the responsibilities of the federal government. Its Tuesday night meeting drew a crowd that initially numbered in the hundreds but dwindled significantly as the night wore on.

The mayor of Phoenix wants to file a lawsuit too, but his city council has refused to back him.