By David Schwartz and Tim Gaynor |

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer said on Monday a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding a key part of the state's crackdown on illegal immigrants was a "victory for the rule of law."

"Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for the rule of law," Brewer said in a statement. "It is also a victory for the 10th Amendment (of the U.S. Constitution) and all Americans who believe in the inherent right and responsibility of states to defend their citizens."

The Supreme Court upheld a key part of Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigrants, rejecting the Obama administration's stance that only the U.S. government should enforce immigration laws in the United States.
The nation's highest court, in an opinion by Justice Anthony Kennedy, upheld the state law's most controversial aspect, requiring police officers to check the immigration status of people they stop.
But in a split decision, the justices also ruled that the three other challenged provisions went too far in intruding on federal law, including one that makes it a crime for illegal immigrants to work and another that requires them to carry their documents.
"After more than two years of legal challenges, the heart of SB 1070 (the state law) can now be implemented in accordance with the U.S. Constitution," Brewer said.

Arizona governor calls immigration ruling "victory" for rule of law - Yahoo! News