EnglishLady
Veteran Expediter
BBC
The US Supreme Court has upheld a key part of a tough Arizona immigration law that would give new powers to police to check the immigration status of people stopped and arrested.
However, three of four challenges brought by the Obama administration were upheld by the court.
The US government had argued the law infringed on federal rights to oversee immigration policy.
Five other states have adopted variations of the Arizona law.
A provision known as Section 2(B), that requires police to make a "reasonable attempt... to determine the immigration status" of anyone who is stopped for another violation, was upheld by the Supreme Court.
The court ruled it was too early to tell whether the clause caused a conflict with federal laws, but added that the provision could be open to legal challenge again at a later date.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the opinion for the court, said the justices were unanimous in their decision to allow the "check your papers" provision to come into effect. The court was divided on other issues.
One Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, dissented from the case, saying he would uphold all parts of the Arizona law.
Immigration has become a key issue as the US edges closer to this year's presidential election.
President Barack Obama recently outlined a plan to allow hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the US as children the option of legal status and work permits.
His Republican rival Mitt Romney has opposed Mr Obama's plan, but has not said how he would address the issue of immigration.
Both men are courting Hispanic votes ahead of their showdown in November.
The US Supreme Court has upheld a key part of a tough Arizona immigration law that would give new powers to police to check the immigration status of people stopped and arrested.
However, three of four challenges brought by the Obama administration were upheld by the court.
The US government had argued the law infringed on federal rights to oversee immigration policy.
Five other states have adopted variations of the Arizona law.
A provision known as Section 2(B), that requires police to make a "reasonable attempt... to determine the immigration status" of anyone who is stopped for another violation, was upheld by the Supreme Court.
The court ruled it was too early to tell whether the clause caused a conflict with federal laws, but added that the provision could be open to legal challenge again at a later date.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the opinion for the court, said the justices were unanimous in their decision to allow the "check your papers" provision to come into effect. The court was divided on other issues.
One Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, dissented from the case, saying he would uphold all parts of the Arizona law.
Immigration has become a key issue as the US edges closer to this year's presidential election.
President Barack Obama recently outlined a plan to allow hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the US as children the option of legal status and work permits.
His Republican rival Mitt Romney has opposed Mr Obama's plan, but has not said how he would address the issue of immigration.
Both men are courting Hispanic votes ahead of their showdown in November.
