Judge hears arguments on Arizona immigration law

By JACQUES BILLEAUD and PAUL DAVENPORT Associated Press Writers

PHOENIX (AP) - A federal judge in Phoenix will hear arguments Thursday from lawyers for Arizona's governor, the federal government and civil rights groups over whether the state's new immigration law ought to take effect July 29.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton will consider a request by the U.S. Justice Department to block enforcement of the law.

She also will hear arguments in a challenge by civil rights groups over whether the law should be put on hold and whether that lawsuit should be thrown out of court.

The law requires officers, while enforcing other laws, to check a person's immigration status if there's a reasonable suspicion that the person is here illegally.