AS/COA looks at the budgetary implications of defending Arizona's controversial immigration law, as well as efforts to replicate the law in other states.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on July 6 to halt enforcement of SB1070, Arizona's controversial immigration legislation that critics say will lead to racial profiling. The law's implementation is slated for July 29.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico drew help from Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Meanwhile, fears about the oil spreading into the Caribbean have prompted a quiet dialogue between the United States and Cuba.

At the 40th OAS General Assembly hosted by Peru this week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Honduras' readmission into the OAS. She traveled on to Quito, where she delivered remarks on the shared U.S.-Latin American responsibility to boost social inclusion in the Americas.

President of Mexico Felipe Calderón travels to Washington this week amidst ongoing security worries and rising U.S. tensions over immigration. But experts say the meeting also provides a chance to boost bilateral relations and cooperation.

The signing of SB 1070 in Arizona threatens the ability of all Latinos to integrate into the state’s workforce and communities and is likely to stifle Latino entrepreneurship and socioeconomic mobility.

A tough new Arizona immigration law relaunched debate about immigration reform this week. The Mexican government issued a travel warning against Arizona and critics say the law could lead to racial profiling as well an economic drain on the state.