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Preempted? The argument against Arizona's tough immigration laws

Posted on:2013-09-14Degree:M.AType:Thesis
University:University of Southern CaliforniaCandidate:Lohia, YaminiFull Text:PDF
GTID:2456390008974957Subject:Journalism
Abstract/Summary:
This essay is an examination of Arizona's immigration law, the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, better known as SB 1070. The law, signed in April 2010, reignited the debate over illegal immigration and brought it to national attention, especially as it has since inspired copycat legislation from Alabama, Utah and Georgia, among others. SB 1070 brings into focus the question as to how far a state can go on its own in its attempt to address the problem of illegal immigration. This essay examines SB 1070 as symptomatic of the larger trend of states challenging the federal government's right to formulate immigration policy. It will also argue that SB 1070 and subsequent amendments are both unconstitutional and ineffective; unconstitutional because it violates federal law while also denying rights guaranteed under the Constitution, and ineffective as the costs of implementation---both direct and indirect---make the legislation expensive.
Keywords/Search Tags:Immigration, Law
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