For Immediate Release
May 2, 2016
Contact: Francisca Porchas, Puente, francisca@puenteaz.org, (606) 616-4311; Jessica Vosburgh, NDLON, jvosburgh@ndlon.org, (203) 415-8368; Steve Kilar, ACLU of Arizona, skilar@acluaz.org, (602) 773-6007
Puente v. Arpaio Press Statement from Plaintiffs
Puente Vows to Keep Fighting Following Ninth Circuit Decision on Preliminary Injunction Appeal; Decision Leaves Open Possibility for Further Challenges
Phoenix, Arizona – In response to the Ninth Circuit decision in Puente Arizona, et al. v. Arpaio et al., issued today, Plaintiffs provide the following statements:
Francisca Porchas, Organizing Director of Puente Arizona, a lead plaintiff in the case, said:
“We vow to keep fighting Sheriff Arpaio and County Attorney Bill Montgomery and will not rest until they stop targeting our community. The laws on which the raids were based left many immigrants with felony convictions merely for working to provide for their families. The laws are cruel, unjust and degrading. We knew that it would be a long court battle, but after years of raids, and hundreds of immigrants arrested, we also know the importance of continuing the fight. In the meantime, we will also continue to open our doors to those in the community affected by the raids.”
Jessica Vosburgh, an attorney at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), who argued the case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, said:
“The raids are unconstitutional and we believe that we will ultimately prevail. We disagree with the Ninth Circuit panel decision’s today not to uphold the preliminary injunction. However, the decision leaves open the ability for Plaintiffs to challenge the way that Sheriff Arpaio and County Attorney Bill Montgomery have been using the laws in Maricopa County. We are also considering options for seeking a rehearing of today’s decision by the full Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The preliminary injunction will stay in place at least until we’ve had a chance to make that decision.”
Plaintiffs in the case include Puente, workers affected by the raids, and several faith leaders who reside in Maricopa County and object to the use of their tax dollars to finance the raids. The plaintiffs are represented by the University of California, Irvine School of Law Immigrant Rights Clinic, NDLON, the ACLU of Arizona, Hadsell Stormer & Renick LLP, Quarles & Brady LLP and attorney Ray Ybarra Maldonado.
The Ninth Circuit decision, and the United States’ amicus brief filed on March 18 is available, here.
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