The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday voted to join a lawsuit challenging Arizona's controversial immigration law. The suit was brought by civil rights organizations and other groups that argue the law, which encourages police to check the immigration status of suspects who might be on the country illegally, infringes on federal jurisdiction over immigration.

The council voted 8-2 to direct the City Attorney's office to file an amicus brief supporting the suit, which was brought by Los Angeles-based Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) and other groups.

Council members Paul Krekorian and Bill Rosendahl opposed the move; Greg Smith, who decried the council's boycott of Arizona travel and business, was not present for the vote.

The measure was introduced by Council President Eric Garcetti. The suit “challenges Arizona's new law requiring police to demand 'papers' from people they stop whom they suspect are not authorized to be in the U.S.,” Garcetti said last week.

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