11 countries seek voice in AZ immigration appeal

PHOENIX - Mexico and 10 other Latin American countries want a federal appeals court to consider their viewpoints in Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's appeal of a ruling that put parts of her state's new immigration law on hold.

The countries are asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for permission to file so-called friend-of-the-court briefs in Brewer's appeal of the ruling, which arose from a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department.

The 11 countries say they have an interest in ensuring they have reliable relations with the United States that aren't frustrated by Arizona.

Mexico is joined in the request by Argentina, Boliva, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru.

Supporters of the law say it's intended to confront the state's vast illegal immigration woes that Washington is confronting adequately.