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Supreme Court Hears Case on Arizona Illegal Workers Law

   Questions  law  that  allows  state to close down businesses that hire
   undocumented immigrants

   Jim Malone 08 December 2010

   The US Supreme Court is hearing the US Chamber of Commerce's challenge
   of  the  law  that  allows Arizona to suspend the license of a company
   that employs illegal immigrants.

AP

   The US Supreme Court is hearing the US Chamber of Commerce's challenge
   of  the  law  that  allows Arizona to suspend the license of a company
   that employs illegal immigrants.

   The  U.S.  Supreme  Court  is  hearing  arguments  Wednesday in a case
   challenging  a law in the southwestern state of Arizona that penalizes
   employers for hiring illegal immigrants.

   Under the 2007 law, Arizona can suspend the license of a company found
   to  be  employing illegal immigrants. After two violations, the border
   state can revoke the right of the firm to do business in the state.

   The  U.S.  Chamber  of  Commerce  is  challenging  the  law, saying it
   interferes with a federal immigration law Congress passed in 1986. The
   Chamber  says  Arizona has interpreted too broadly the part of the law
   that  allows  states to revoke licenses, and created a system in which
   state  authorities  enforce  their  own harsher version of immigration
   law.

   Arizona  has  defended its immigration measures as necessary to combat
   crime  that's  been blamed on illegal immigrants, protect its borders,
   and respond to the influx of people crossing from Mexico illegally.

   The  disputed  Arizona  law  also  requires employers to use a federal
   program  called  E-Verify  to make sure that employees are in the U.S.
   legally. Under federal rules, the system is merely optional.

   Earlier this year in Arizona, a measure signed into law by the state's
   governor  sparked a fiery debate and a series of protests. It included
   a  provision - which is now on hold because of legal challenges - that
   requires  police to investigate the immigration status of someone they
   suspect of being in the U.S. illegally, while the police are enforcing
   other laws.

   Also   Wednesday,  U.S.  Senate  Democrats  will  try  to  advance  an
   immigration  measure  that would provide a path to legal residency for
   tens  of  thousands  of  young, foreign-born immigrants brought to the
   U.S. illegally by their parents.

   Lawmakers  in  the  House of Representatives may also debate the bill,
   known  as  the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act,
   or  DREAM  Act.  Immigration  advocates  and  the Obama administration
   support for the measure.

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