Immigration Hearings Wrap up in Arizona.
By: CNN Wire Staff
Updated: July 22, 2010
A federal judge concluded two much-followed hearings Thursday on challenges to Arizona's new immigration law, but gave no indication on when she might make a decision.
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton Thursday heard two requests for an injunction, one from the U.S. Justice Department and another separate lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union.
Bolton's courtroom was packed during the hearings and crowds grew outside throughout the afternoon.
Police took several protesters into custody after the second hearing.
The American Civil Liberties Union and a coalition of civil rights groups argued that the controversial law amounts to racial profiling, usurps federal authority and will have a profound effect if it goes into effect July 29.
"It treats people of color as suspects first, rather than (as) citizens," attorney Karen Tumlin said after the first of the two hearings.
But John Bouma, attorney for the state, said the law would not treat people unfairly.
"These are hypothetical arguments. Local police are enforcing immigration laws all over the country," he told Bolton.
-- CNN's Casey Wian and Chuck Conder contributed to this report.
