Arizona v. United States
Citation
567 U.S. 387 (2012)
Facts
Arizona enacted SB 1070, which created a comprehensive state immigration enforcement scheme including provisions requiring state officers to check immigration status during stops, making it a state crime to be unlawfully present, and permitting warrantless arrests of persons believed to be deportable. The federal government challenged the law as preempted by federal immigration law.
Issue
Whether provisions of Arizona’s SB 1070 are preempted by federal immigration law.
Holding
The Court struck down three of SB 1070’s four challenged provisions as preempted by federal law, while allowing the “show me your papers” provision to proceed subject to further challenge.
Rule
Federal immigration law occupies the field; states may not impose additional penalties or enforcement mechanisms inconsistent with the federal immigration scheme, even if the state law does not directly conflict with federal law.