Otter: Idaho backs Arizona in immigration lawsuit

BOISE (AP) - Idaho is backing Arizona's law meant to curb illegal immigration.

Gov. Butch Otter said Friday he has filed a court brief backing Arizona's appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Otter says states should be able to concurrently enforce federal immigration laws, provided they don't create new categories of aliens.

Arizona's law would generally require officers enforcing other measures to check immigration status of people they suspect are illegal immigrants.

There are several lawsuits challenging the measure, including cases filed by the U.S. Justice of Department and civil rights groups.

In July, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton put key parts of Arizona's law on hold.

Idaho says it is now among 11 states that have joined in an appeal of Bolton's ruling filed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.