Arizona’s Gov. Jan Brewer sued the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws and for sticking the state with the high costs of jailing crime-commiting illegal immigrants.The court filing came in response to the federal government’s legal challenge to SB 1070, Arizona’s controversial immigration law. The most controversial portion of the bill requires police to check a person’s legal status when they have already been stopped or arrested for a separate crime, given the officer has “reasonable suspicion.” Due to the pending Justice’s complaint, this portion of the law has yet to be enforced.

Critics have argued the law sanctions racial profiling. Immediately after SB 1070 was introduced, the Mexican government issued a travel alert, warning its citizens of a “negative political environment.” Supporters cited a provision in the bill that read, police officers “may not solely consider race, color, or national origin” when questioning the status of suspected illegal immigrants.

While Arizona’s controversial immigration reform bill may be on hold, its effects have rippled across the nation. Since the start of the year, more than 15 other states have introduced similar legislations that would give newfound power to state law enforcement agencies when dealing with suspected illegal immigrants.

Multiple bills proposed in Texas include a provision for schools to verify the status of students who attend state educational institutions, as well as requiring local governments to enforce immigration laws or risk losing state appropriated funding. Maine, South Dakota, and Georgia, among others, would grant state police the power to act as immigration officers, enforcement that historically has been under federal jurisdiction.

“I believe the law does call out for racial profiling,” said law student Cynthia Mazariegos. Although Mazariegos said she believed there can be a fair and equal enforcement of the law by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement, it would be impossible for city and state police officers to do so.

However, not everyone at DePaul shares a similar opinion. “I support the Arizona’s SB 1070,” said Connor Wilson, a College of Commerce major. “States should be able to act accordingly to issues in the state if the federal agency responsible is not enforcing the law,” Wilson said.

Many supporters of tougher immigration laws have said they see the influx of immigrants as an economic threat. Many people have cited the loss of American jobs to low wage workers and made claims that undocumented immigrants place an immense burden on the U.S. education and healthcare infrastructure.

In Texas, there are more illegal immigrants in the workforce than unemployed Texans, according to numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Pew Hispanic Center. Less than six percent of the Illinois workforce is composed of unauthorized immigrants.

Brewer said she plans to use private funds for the counter-suit. So far, the cost of lawyers defending SB 1070 has cost more than $1 million in bills.

“Immigration reform was needed long before the Arizona law,” said economics professor Gabriella Bucci, who specializes in immigration. According to Bucci, the Arizona bill is a symptom of America’s illegal immigration problem and said, “but the problem is longstanding and, sadly, long ignored.