U.S. Supreme Court asked to review Arizona immigration law

By the CNN Wire Staff

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer petitions high court to intervene in immigration controversy
A lower court judge prevented part of state's new immigration law from going into effect
Arizona officials want that lower court ruling overturned

(CNN) -- Arizona's governor formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to intervene and allow the state to enforce its controversial immigration law known as Senate Bill 1070.

State officials filed a petition seeking to overturn a federal judge's order preventing parts of the law from going into effect. Gov. Jan Brewer signed the sweeping legislation, which went became official last month.

The Obama administration and immigration rights groups have opposed efforts to have local law enforcement apprehend and help deport illegal immigrants. After the federal government responds to the state appeal, the justices will meet privately and decide whether to accept the case for review. If they do, arguments probably would be held sometime early next year.

CNN's Bill Mears contributed to this report.