It has been reported that Arizona on Thursday filed an appeal with the U. S. District Court for the 9th Circuit, asking that a ruling on the state's new immigration law be overturned.

The Arizona Republic has reported that the appeal, filed by Gov. Jan Brewer, asks that the case be expedited, raising the possibility arguments could be heard by mid-September.

The governor said in a statement, "Illegal immigration is an ongoing crisis the State of Arizona did not create and the federal government has refused to fix."

The newspaper further said that the appeal asserts the court's decision will determine "Arizona's right to implement a law its Legislature enacted to address the irreparable harm Arizona is suffering as a result of unchecked unlawful immigration."

It also says the four portions of the bill that federal Judge Susan Bolton put on hold in her ruling Wednesday were "critical to address serious criminal, environmental and economic problems Arizona has been suffering as a consequence of illegal immigration and the lack of effective enforcement activity by the federal government."

The report also noted that hundreds of people protested the new immigration law as parts of it took effect Thursday, including some who blocked the entrance to a Phoenix jail.

The Los Angeles Times further reported that about a dozen arrests were made. (With Inputs from Agencies)