Supreme Court could change US rules for undocumented immigration

United States, 27th April: If the Supreme Court allows local police officials to check immigration status of people stopped for various reasons, it could have a direct impact on how the US confronts undocumented immigration.

SC’s decision to effect US immigration laws--As per Arizona immigration law, anyone suspected to be staying in the nation unlawfully can be asked about his immigration status. The decision by the Supreme Court is expected to be announced not earlier than the end of June. And it is going to affect the fate of presidential elections slated to be held in November this year.

Feeling fed up with federal laws aimed at controlling undocumented immigration in the US, several states have come up with their own immigration laws to confront those coming and staying in the nation unlawfully.

And since Arizona shares its borders with Mexico, it attracts a sizeable percentage of immigrants sneaking into the nation through unlawful means. Hence, it passed an immigration law to control the growing wave of undocumented immigrants in this US state.

Arizona immigration law opposed by Obama administration--Meanwhile, the US administration has been openly challenging Arizona immigration law alleging it contradicts with the US immigration rules aiming to strike a right balance between national security, foreign policy, rights of citizens abiding by law, human rights, law enforcement and immigrants.

Apart from Obama administration, Arizona immigration law has been criticized by several civil rights organizations stating such rules are nothing but racial discrimination and ethnic stereotyping. So, it’s up to the Supreme Court to decide whether the US states, by passing their own immigration laws, crossed the line or not.

The US justices seem to be giving strong clues that they are willing to allow Arizona enforce one of the most controversial immigration laws of the nation. If it becomes a reality, police officials will have the authority to verify the immigration status of anyone stopped in Arizona.

Moreover, the decision of the Supreme Court favors Arizona, it will also encourage other US states including Alabama, Georgia, Utah, Indiana, and South Carolina to enforce similar state immigration laws.

Protestors march against Arizona immigration law—Several protests were staged against the controversial and one of the toughest US immigration laws. Nearly 500 people organized a rally in Phoenix to protest against SB 1070.

The Arizona immigration law makes it a criminal offence to stay and work in Arizona unlawfully.

The demonstrated were hopeful that the law will be struck down by the Supreme Court. They alleged the law discriminates against people on the basis of color of their skin.