Crime Sweep, Protests, Vigils Planned in Anticipation of SB 1070 Ruling

PHOENIX, Ariz. - With less than 24 hours until the law will be put into effect, there is a lot going on Wednesday to stop SB 1070.

At 9 a.m., a vigil will take place at the state capitol. The vigil has been held for 102 days.

At 5 p.m., there will be an immigration protest at the state capitol, and thousands of people are expected to attend. Organizers said they will spend the night praying.

Everyone is waiting to see what Judge Susan Bolton will do. Her ruling on the controversial illegal immigration law could come at any time.

President Barack Obama has been fighting the law since it passed in April.

“But now with no papers and you take your kid for ice cream, you are going to be harassed, and that's not the right way to go,” Obama said.

Police and protesters are both gearing up in case the anti-illegal immigration law does go into effect. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is planning his 17th crime sweep on Thursday, and protesters will be showing up by the hundreds at the state capitol, followed by a rally outside Arpaio's office.

Backers of the law say Arizona is picking up where the federal government has failed.

“I think it’s just an awful thing the president said about taking your kid out for an ice cream cone. It was just as bad when the attorney general and the secretary of DHS said that they didn't read the bill,” said Sen. John McCain.

Some 15,000 police officers across the state have undergone training to use the new law. While some law enforcement leaders oppose the law, others say something needs to be done.

Bolton has a reputation as a no-nonsense judge, and lawyers who know her describe her as an intelligent judge who listens carefully and pays attention to detail. She's served on the federal bench since 2000 and was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton.