Arizona Immigration Law to Be Heard by Supreme Court

By Josh Gerstein, Politico

13 December 11



The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider whether a law Arizona passed last year cracking down on illegal immigration violates the Constitution by intruding on the prerogatives of the federal government.

The new high-profile platform for the continuing legal fight over immigration-related state laws has the potential to inflame the issue in the 2012 presidential campaign - a development that could benefit President Barack Obama's appeal among Latinos, but hurt his standing with swing voters who tend to be broadly supportive of legislation to rein in illegal immigration.

The Obama administration, which persuaded lower courts to block key parts of the Arizona law, known as S.B. 1070, had asked the Supreme Court not to take up the case at this time. Still, White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Monday, "You know the president's position and the administration's position. We look forward to arguing it in this case." READ MORE