Immigration at the Supreme Court
It is a case that did not get much attention when it was announced. But, make no mistake about it, this case is going to set the tone for the constitutional debate underway involving immigration and Arizona's right to protect its citizens and borders.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case out of Arizona - a case involving Arizona's landmark 2007 law that penalizes employers for hiring illegal immigrants. The law punishes companies by suspending or revoking their business licenses for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. It also requires Arizona employers to use a federal electronic system to verify if an employee is authorized to work. This law was upheld by the 9th Circuit, but the Department of Justice asked the high court to take this case - to overturn the ruling.
This comes as Arizona's new law - the one recently approved and signed into law - is coming under attack - by the ACLU - and a lawsuit soon-to-be-filed by the Department of Justice. The new law states that an officer engaged in a lawful stop, detention or arrest shall, when practicable, ask about a person's legal status when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is in the U.S. illegally.
Here's the challenge - the state of Arizona has a constitutional right to act - in the 2007 law and now with the recently approved law, SB 1070. But the Department of Justice - and others - are challenging Arizona every step of the way.
This immigration issue is now front-and-center because the high court will hear arguments about the 2007 law next term. We're standing up with the state of Arizona. We are going to file an amicus brief with the high court in support of the Arizona law. And, we will be filing briefs in support of Arizona's new law being challenged aggressively in federal courts.
You can stand with us. You can make a difference. We will be representing you in our briefs. Add you name to the Committee to Protect America's Borders. It's time to act. Time to stand up for your rights. Add your name today.