Obama administration challenges Arizona

The US federal government has filed a legal challenge to a law passed by Arizona to target illegal immigrants.



The law requires the police to query the immigration status of people stopped for a legitimate reason who arouse suspicion of being in the US illegally.



Arizona’s Governor, Jan Brewer, signed the measure into law in April and it’s due to take effect on July 29.



However, the justice department, which filed its case in a federal court in Arizona, is contending that the law is unconstitutional as it usurps federal authority over immigration.



The Arizona legislature has said that it was forced to protect its borders, because the federal government failed to act.



The state is the biggest entry point into the US for illegal immigrants, and is home to an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants.



The justice department has asked for a delay in the implementation of the law, until the case is heard.