Supreme Court rules on Arizona's anti-immigrant law

from Adam Luna, America’s Voice

With a 5-3 majority vote, the Supreme Court sent a strong signal to the nation that Arizona’s anti-immigrant law is NOT a model for our country.  The ruling was a warning to other states not to follow in Arizona’s footsteps. However, we still have work to do.

While the Justices ruled that most provisions of the law were unconstitutional, they let the dangerous “show me your papers” provision stand.  The Justices warned Arizona officials that they could only enforce the provision very narrowly, and the Court left the door open to striking the law down later on.

But for now, with Sheriff Joe Arpaio still in power and with flawed programs like “Secure Communities” still in place, we know that the Court’s decision will lead to racial profiling and harassment of people based on what they look like and how they speak – even if they are born in the US.

I had a minute to sit down with Frank Sharry, Executive Director at America’s Voice Education Fund, to talk about the ruling.  Here’s what he had to say:

Watch Frank Sharry's Video on the Supreme Court's Ruling

I heard good news and bad news from the court today, but clearly, our movement is strong and headed in the right direction.

While you read this email, community organizations on the ground in Arizona are launching a neighborhood defense project, and are on the lookout for examples of discrimination to bring the case back to court. Legal experts are putting the next phase of the court battle in place. Polls show that the President’s decision to stop the deportations of DREAMers is wildly popular. And in 2012, no state followed Arizona’s lead by passing copycat legislation.

Thanks for all you are doing and all that you’ll continue to do.  Onward!

Adam Luna
America’s Voice