- Immigration law: Supreme Court thumps Arizona - Salt Lake Tribune Editorial
As predicted, the U.S. Supreme Court rightly struck down three out of four provisions of Arizona’s immigration enforcement law because they violated the constitutional supremacy of the Congress to create immigration law. However, the high court let stand, for now, the provision that served as a model for Utah’s immigration enforcement law. Explicit in the court’s decision, however, is the worry that these laws could lead to abuses, a concern that we share.
The principles involved in these cases are simple. The Constitution gives the federal government broad power to establish a uniform system of immigration laws, and its supremacy clause gives the feds authority to preempt state laws in this field. The wisdom of this policy is obvious, because it would make little sense for each of the 50 states to be free to set up their own systems of immigration.
However, the provision of the Arizona law that the Supreme Court upheld is grounded on the idea that state and local law officers should assist federal immigration officers in enforcement. ...
... But even at that, the high court expressed concern about whether officers would delay the release of detainees simply to verify immigration status. This could be unconstitutional if it occurred. However, the court’s major concern was that the state courts have not yet had an opportunity to review this provision of the statute. The same would be true of Utah’s law.
In short, this ruling is not the final word. How the laws are implemented could make all the difference
- Congress to blame for stalled immigration reform - Peg McEntee, The Salt Lake Tribune
... Immigrants founded this nation and have enriched it for centuries. Unfortunately, we can’t trust Congress to do anything about the immigration problem in the foreseeable future. ...
- Supporters, critics debate impact of ruling on immigration law in Utah - David Montero, The Salt Lake Tribune
-
And that makes it all the more compelling that Congress get its act together, find a way to stake out a piece of common ground and pass comprehensive immigration reform. ...
It appears the Supreme Court of the United States concurs. ...
Rather than a victory, the court's ruling was a stern directive that raises the stakes for Congress. ...
That would be the Legal Arizona Workers Act, a 2008 measure that puts the issue of illegal immigration right where it belongs, in the laps - and on the laptops - of employers who seek to enhance their own profits while disregarding the real or imagined damage undocumented workers cause.
With e-Verify in place, law enforcement can arrest the people who are truly a danger to society and let the workplace take care of those who came looking for jobs.
But that all makes too much sense.
