By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Several members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation said today they disagree with the Obama administration’s decision to sue the state of Arizona over its new immigration law.

U.S. Rep. Mike Ross. D-Prescott, issued a statement today expressing his opposition to the Justice’s Department’s lawsuit filed last week. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the law, which authorizes Arizona police to demand proof of legal status from people they suspect of being in the country illegally and detain people who cannot provide proof.

“I absolutely do not support this lawsuit,” Ross said. “Arizona is simply passing legislation to curtail illegal immigration, something the federal government has failed to do over the past few decades. Arizona is acting out of pure necessity as illegal immigration, drug trafficking, gang wars and crime is now pouring into their state from Mexico.”

But Ross said the lawsuit does bring attention to “the need for drastic, common sense reform to immigration in this country.” He added that he opposes any effort to provide amnesty to people now living illegally in the U.S.

Sara Lasure, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Boozman. R-Rogers, said Boozman also opposes the lawsuit.

“Congressman Boozman believes we need to uphold and enforce our immigration laws, something the federal government is failing to do, forcing Arizona to take action to protect its citizens,” Lasure said.

Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln, whose re-election bid is being challenged by Boozman, said today, “While I do not support some provisions of the Arizona law, I also do not agree with the Obama administration’s decision to sue the state for its efforts to secure its borders.”

Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor said he could see arguments on both sides, but he had not read the law and had not formed an opinion on it or the federal government’s action — though he did understood why Arizona passed the law.

“They’ve been waiting on Congress now for years to pass some immigration reform, and Congress has not been able to do it,” Pryor said.

U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, was not available for comment, a spokesman said today.

A phone message left for a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, was not immediately returned today.