Legalized racism to be determined by the Supreme Court- right-wing or left-wing approach to immigration

The Supreme Court is expected to reach a decision by June in Arizona v. United States, case No. 11-182. The Obama administration says that immigration is an issue to be addressed on a federal level, whereas the State of Arizona stands their ground saying this is an issue to be addressed at the state level.

The arguments over Arizona immigration laws have established a clear party line divide as other states have followed suit and implemented similar laws as well. The conservative right supports legislation that allows law enforcement officers to demand documentation from an individual to verify their legal status and the liberal left is against methods perceived as encouraging discrimination based on race.

According to Reuters: “Americans generally support immigration laws like Arizona's and are ambivalent about the federal and state roles at the core of the case, a new Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll found. About 70 percent of those surveyed favored state laws that let police check a person's immigration status and make it a crime for an illegal immigrant to work in the United States; about 30 percent opposed such measures. On the question of who has responsibility for immigration laws, the core of the Supreme Court case, 59 percent said immigration was a national issue and laws relating to it should only be made by the federal government; 55 percent said individual states had the right to make such laws, too.” http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/22/us-usa-immigration-arizona-idUSBRE83L04I20120422

The first issue is to be determined by the Supreme Court -- does this power lie at the federal level or the state level. If the decision is that the power lies in the federal government, we can expect major changes in immigration laws. If the decision is that the power lies on the state level, the next step would be for states to take their stand on illegal immigration.

Illegal immigration is a hot-button item faced by legislators at every level. This issue will definitely be key in the November elections. But let’s not fool ourselves here: With a growing Hispanic population in the United States, both sides will be fighting for the Hispanic vote in November. The political arena will play this game to win votes and try to sway voters to support their agenda. As this war rages on, citizens continue being divided further and this division is toxic to this country. Tolerance for extremism seems to be increasing and the right seems to be losing their ability to hide their racist beliefs with no limits.

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