The United States Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether Arizona’s immigration law, SB 1070, violates the U.S. Constitution and interferes with federal law.
Among the provisions being challenged is one that requires Arizona’s police officers to question people they stop about their immigration status. Critics of the bill say that the law leads to racial profiling. Proponents of the bill argue that Arizona is acting to protect its citizens due to the inability of the federal government to do its job curbing illegal immigration.
The Arizona law will be the second high-profile dispute the high court will confront in the Spring of 2012. They have previously stated they will rule on President Obama’s health-care overhaul, his signature piece of legislation.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s consideration of these two hot button issues will create a fire storm leading into the 2012 election making illegal immigration and healthcare the central issues. An election in which the economy should be the main focus.
Latino voters will be thrown into the middle of these discussions and will likely become more motivated to vote. The tone of the immigration debate and how the candidates deal with both issues will significantly impact voter enthusiasm and voter turn out.
The Supreme Court justices themselves will also become a major issue in the 2012 election, as the next President will likely make at least one Supreme Court appointment, given that four of the nine justices are in their 70s.
UPDATE:
The Washington Post takes a look at the role of the U.S. Supreme Court cases will have on the election and why it is a major gamble for the Obama White House. In addition to taking up health care and the Arizona immigration law, the court will a review a contentious redistricting situation in Texas.
Read more WP: Supreme Court inserts itself into 2012 election in a major way.
