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Supreme Court puts Arizona's illegal immigration law in the spotlight

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Posted 2:37 PM 4/24/2012 : Supreme Court puts Arizona's illegal immigration law in the spotlight

(NBC) - Arizona's controversial immigration law will be argued before the US Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The case could have election year ramifications.

It's about illegal border crossing, but a lot more: Civil rights, states rights, even the 2012 election.

Arizona's law, passed two years ago, requires police there to check the immigration status of anyone they suspect is illegal and to detain them until they see a Green Card or proof of citizenship.

Former Senator Dennis DeConcini says the law requires racial profiling.

"It is profiling. Police officers tell you that, that it's profiling. They feel they have to," DeConcini told the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

The author of the Arizona law denied profiling.

"I find it very demeaning to law enforcement that we would assume that those kinds of things go on," responded Russell Pearce.

The Obama administration sued.

Republicans charge the motivation was the upcoming election.

"This isn't about somebody else's idea what the rule of law is. This is about somebody's idea in what is going to benefit them politically," argued Iowa Representative Steve King.

President obama does need the hispanic vote, so, if the supreme court upholds the Arizona law Democrats in Congress are ready.

"I'll introduce legislation that will reiterate that congress does not intend for states to enact
their own immigration enforcement schemes," promised New York Senator Chuck Schumer.

That would force Republicans to cast a vote on immigration that could hurt them in November.

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