South Dakota joins fight against federal suit over Arizona immigration law


South Dakota has joined with several other states in backing Arizona in its fight to enforce a law giving state's joint authority over immigration enforcement.

"This is a highly-publicized and important legal issue that must be settled," Gov. Rounds said in a written statement issued along with South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley.

"Simply put, states should be allowed to enforce federal immigration law," Rounds added.

Last week, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder filed a lawsuit on behalf of the federal government, challenging Arizona law governing state immigration enforcement.

South Dakota will join several other states in the capacity of amicus curiae, or friend of the court, but will not be a party defendant.

According to the news release, the State of Michigan has taken the lead role of the amicus states. It is anticipated that South Dakota will not bear any costs associated with its supportive and advisory role, the release states.

"South Dakota presently enjoys and will strive to continue our tradition of cooperative immigration enforcement with our local federal law enforcement partners," Jackley said in the written statement. "The federal government's national decision to engage in selective enforcement of federal law and to enter into litigation with Arizona unnecessarily abandons cooperative efforts on immigration enforcement at the cost of public safety."