IMMIGRATION on the SUPREME COURT 2012 DOCKET

The Supreme Court 2011-2012 term is about to begin.  On the schedule are various issues from health care reform to prisoner related appeals.  Out of the forty nine appeals on the docket, one of major importance to those in the immigration field is Arizona v. U.S., a case which highlights the issues of states enacting laws regarding immigration enforcement. 

On appeal in Arizona v. U.S., is whether or not states have the authority to enforce immigration matters or whether those matters are restricted to the federal government.  The highly debated Arizona SB 1070 includes provisions which raise legitimate concerns of racial profiling.  For example, it would allow state police to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws and allow warrantless arrests if there is probable cause the offense would make a person removable from the United States. 

Arizona’s SB 1070 was arguably the driving force for 50 state legislatures in 2011 to introduce bills or resolutions that were immigration related.  The Supreme Court’s final decision on the matter will help clear up a lot of cross country debates.