Parting ways somewhat with bosom-buddy Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) said that the new Arizona immigration law would face an “uphill battle” in the courts.
“In my view it’s all uphill under the law,” Graham told reporters. “I think they’ll have a hard time upholding this law, that’s my view.”
Graham, who quipped that he was “not the brightest lawyer in town,” said he had a “reasonable suspicion if it comes down to the color of your skin or the ethnic background as the dominant reason, it shouldn’t hold up.”
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testified that the law “could siphon federal money and staff needed to go after dangerous immigrants.”
Napolitano says Immigration and Customs Enforcement fears it will have to use its stretched resources to deal with those arrested under Arizona’s new law. She testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.