Fresh off hearing oral arguments on President Obama’s health care overhaul, the Supreme Court is stepping back into the political spotlight. Today, the high court will consider the legality of Arizona’s tough crackdown on illegal immigrants.
A quick refresher: Back in April 2010, Arizona adopted SB 1070, the nation’s toughest law on illegal immigration. It sought to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the state by expanding the powers of state officials. Under the new law, police officers are authorized to question the immigration status of anyone they stop and can detain those who fail to show “proof of legal presence.” In July 2010, a Federal District Court justice in Phoenix, Arizona issued an injunction blocking the law’s most controversial provisions. Then in April 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled against Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s filed appeal that sought to have the injunction lifted. Now, the Supreme Court will be considering the case in what is sure to be a politically-charged hearing. Joining us for more on today’s action is Jeffrey Rosen, professor of law at George Washington University.