DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on the 10th anniversary of former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signing the anti-immigrant SB 1070:

“Ten years ago marked a dark period in America’s history with Governor Jan Brewer’s signing of SB 1070, the ‘show me your papers’ law that racially targeted Latino Americans and Latino immigrants alike, and opened up deep divisions we are still struggling to heal today. To date, it is still among the strictest and most disgraceful bills in recent history.

“When I was head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division under President Obama, we went toe-to-toe with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department, and we took Arizona all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to make sure SB 1070 would not stand. As the son of two immigrants from the Dominican Republic, I was so proud to stand up for the rights of all those seeking a better life in the land of opportunity. And the voters of Maricopa County stood up, too, by booting Sheriff Arpaio and his immigrant-baiting tactics out of office.

“But make no mistake, Arizona’s SB 1070 was a dark precursor of what was to come, as Republicans tried to mimic this anti-immigrant legislation across the country. And now Donald Trump has made the same anti-immigrant hatred a centerpiece of his agenda.

“But out of the darkness of SB 1070 also emerged a new crop of young leaders and fighters who gave voice to an entire community and fought to defeat bigots like Russell Pearce and Joe Arpaio. Today they are community leaders, members of the state legislature, and members of city councils all across Arizona speaking truth to power on the issues most pressing to their communities. Their example should inspire us every day. And come November 2020, the American people will rise with them to reject the hate and bigotry of Donald Trump.”