Ariz. senators criticize reported suit against immigration law

Arizona Republicans say the administration would be wrong to sue their state over an immigration law.

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) criticized the Justice Department on Tuesday for reportedly planning a lawsuit to overturn the Arizona immigration law. 

The criticism follows reports in the Washington Post and Associated Press that the Justice Department will seek an injunction stopping the law from taking effect on the grounds that immigration enforcement is the federal government's responsibility.

McCain and Kyl said the administration has failed to act on that responsibility.

“Attorney General Holder speaks of the ‘federal government’s responsibility’ to enforce immigration laws; but what are the people of Arizona left to do when the federal government fails in its responsibility?" the two Arizona Republicans asked in a joint statement.

The continued:

"The Obama Administration has not done everything it can do to protect the people of Arizona from the violence and crime illegal immigration brings to our state. Until it does, the federal government should not be suing Arizona on the grounds that immigration enforcement is solely a federal responsibility.”