Hearing starts over Ariz. illegal immigration law

By PAUL ELIAS Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal appeals court is hearing arguments over Arizona's request to enforce its controversial new immigration law.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals began hearing arguments Monday from lawyers representing Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer. The Republican is appealing a lower-court ruling that put parts of the law on hold.

The central theme Monday is what role local authorities can play in regulating immigration, an area largely left to the federal government to enforce.

Brewer is attending the hearing in San Francisco. It started with her lawyers facing tough questions about a previous appellate ruling that rejected state regulation of immigration.

When the law passed and Brewer signed it April 23, it touched off a national furor. Brewer is running for re-election Tuesday.