Summer could bring ruling on immigration law
yumasun.com
Opinion
February 07, 2012 6:20 PM
It looks like Arizona will finally get some resolution as soon as this summer on its controversial law to curb illegal immigration.
The U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will listen to arguments about the law on April 25. A ruling will likely follow within a few months after that court session.
The law, popularly known as SB 1070, has stirred strong feelings among those who feel the federal government has failed to close the Mexican border to illegal crossers who are harming the state as well as among those who believe the state overstepped its authority in passing the law.
The law was passed in 2010 but key provisions have never been implemented because of court challenges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and other interested parties. Both an Arizona federal judge and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have ruled that several elements of the law involving law enforcement and work restrictions are faulty.
The over-arching theme of opposition to the law, however, is that the state has no business intruding into matters involving illegal immigration or control of international borders because they are federal responsibilities under the U.S. Constitution. Attorneys for the state disagree, saying the state would simply be helping the federal government do what needs to be done to protect the border.
Both arguments will be made vigorously when the Supreme Court takes up the case in April.
State officials are optimistic they will prevail before the high court. However, they have also expressed optimism before prior court rulings against the law.
In many ways, it is a classic “state rights” case. Where does the authority rest for control of the border and immigration? There is no doubt the federal government has authority under our Constitution, but is it sole authority or is it shared with the states?
We should have some hint of how the justices will fall on the issue during arguments on April 25.
Read more: Summer could bring ruling on immigration law, law, court, state - Opinion - YumaSun