Immigration Law and SD Public Safety
Local News
by
Adam Uhernik
last edited on
Friday, July 23, 2010
Attorney General Marty Jackley says it's an issue of public safety where the federal government determines and establishes a federal immigration law, but there is an enforcement issue.
Recently Jackley joined Arizona's attorney general and others in coming together and writing a brief in favor of state of Arizona, and the issues they face with immigration laws. He says the federal government has used selective enforcement of the existing immigration laws that has created some public safety issues, and Jackley says that could trickle down to South Dakota.
Jackley says, "We're already seeing it with worksite enforcement. We've enjoyed a traditional cooperative between the federal authorities and the state authorities with the federal government having primary immigration enforcement."
Jackley says he believes it's important for South Dakota to support Arizona, because he says when you look at public safety and the relationship South Dakota has with existing federal partners the state wanted to continue that relationship.