From The Associated Press:
By MARK SHERMAN
Dec. 12, 2011
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court agreed Monday to rule on Arizona’s controversial law targeting illegal immigrants.
The justices said they will review a federal appeals court ruling that blocked several tough provisions in the Arizona law. One of those requires that police, while enforcing other laws, question a person’s immigration status if officers suspect he is in the country illegally.
The Obama administration challenged the Arizona law by arguing that regulating immigration is the job of the federal government, not states. Similar laws in Alabama, South Carolina and Utah also are facing administration lawsuits. Private groups are suing over immigration measures adopted in Georgia and Indiana.
The court now has three politically charged cases on its election-year calendar. The other two are President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul and new electoral maps for Texas’ legislature and congressional delegation.
Justice Elena Kagan will not take part in the Arizona case, presumably because of her work on the issue when she served in the Justice Department.
Arguments probably will take place in late April, which would give the court roughly two months to decide the case. (more…)
Filed under: Alabama, Arizona, Arizona-copycat laws, immigrant community, S.B. 20, South Carolina | Tagged: Elena Kagan, Georgia, Indiana, SCOTUS, Supreme Court, Utah | 1 Comment »
