Both Hazleton and Arizona's immigration laws make use of a narrow exception in the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act, which restricts states' ability to fight the employment of illegal immigrants. The federal law prohibits states from imposing penalties on businesses that employ illegal immigrants except through licensing or permitting requirements.

Under the Arizona law, employers who intentionally employ illegal immigrants and fail to check the immigration status of new hires using a federal online database can have their business licenses revoked. Critics dubbed the sanction the "business death penalty."

In its 4-3 decision May 26, the Supreme Court ruled Arizona's law "fits within the confines" of the authority the federal immigration law reserves for states.

"In exercising that authority, Arizona has taken the route least likely to cause tension with federal law," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.
http://articles.mcall.com/2011-06-06/news/mc-hazleton-illegal-immigrants-suprem20110606_1_immigration-laws-arizona-law-illegal-immigrants






The Supreme Court, already poised to decide one hot-button political issue during an election year, may also tackle the Obama administration's challenge to Arizona's law requiring its police to check the immigration status of people who are stopped.

In addition to opposing the Arizona law, the Obama administration has contested similar immigration enforcement laws adopted by Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Utah.

At issue is not only who can enforce the immigration laws but also what the policy should be for the millions of illegal immigrants living and working in the United States.

Obama's lawyers would prefer for the Supreme Court to steer clear of the issue.
If the court votes to hear the case in the spring, it will elevate illegal immigration as a political issue.


http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/southwest/view.bg?&articleid=1387461&format=&page=1&listingT ype=natsw#articleFull
A string of cases all point to a 5-4 Conservative majority laying down the hatchet on obama's beloved illegals and an end to his use of the DOJ to try to stop states enforcing federal law he refuses to enforce.