Phoenix ? A proposed legal challenge to Arizona’s new immigration law took a hit Monday when the Phoenix city attorney said Mayor Phil Gordon doesn’t have the power to target the law without the support of the City Council.

Gordon was hoping to file a lawsuit to stop the law requiring local and state law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status if there’s reason to suspect they’re in the country illegally.

After failing to gather enough support from City Council members, Gordon had claimed he could file a lawsuit without their approval.

But the legal opinion by City Attorney Gary Verburg said only the City Council has the power to authorize lawsuits.

Four lawsuits challenging the law were filed last week by the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, a Washington-based researcher who plans to visit Arizona and two police officers, one from Phoenix and the other from Tucson.