Schumer asks Ariz. Gov. to delay immigration law for a year

Arizona should delay implementing its immigration law for a year to give Congress a chance to enact a federal law, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said today.

In a letter to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), Schumer sympathized with the frustration that led to the law, but said it was both unconstitutional and ineffective.

"I simply do not believe the remedy Arizona has enacted will succeed in resolving the problem it is designed to address," Schumer wrote. "I oppose SB 1070, not only because it is wrong-hearted and is likely unconstitutional, but also because it will almost certainly fail to reduce illegal immigration into Arizona."

Schumer has been a Democratic point man on immigration reform, working with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to produce a bipartisan framework.

Supporters of the Arizona law have said that Congress's failure to act forced the state legislature's hand.