Durbin Statement on the Supreme Court Decision Regarding the Arizona Immigration Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court struck down three of the four provisions of the Arizona immigration law:
“I am pleased that the Supreme Court agreed with the Obama Administration that federal immigration law prevents states from enacting their own immigration enforcement scheme.
“While three of the Arizona law’s provisions were struck down, one of its most troubling provisions – requiring police officers to check the immigration status of suspected undocumented immigrants – was upheld. The Court signaled it is open to future challenges if this provision is applied improperly. I am confident that this provision, which will encourage racial profiling and ultimately harm law enforcement, will eventually be struck down.”
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court makes it clear that it’s up to Congress to take reasonable steps to address illegal immigration. Instead of the Arizona law, we need practical solutions to fix our broken immigration system, like the DREAM Act, legislation that would allow a select group of immigrant students who grew up in this country to earn citizenship by attending college or serving in the military.”
Earlier this year, Senator Durbin held a hearing on racial profiling that featured testimony on the Arizona law.
Senator Durbin spoke in opposition to the Arizona immigration law in a recent hearing on the law and on the Senate floor.