9. Arizona’s SB 1070 Immigration Law (2010)
In 2010, Arizona enacted Senate Bill 1070 (SB 1070), a controversial immigration law that permitted state police to enforce federal immigration regulations. The Obama administration challenged the law, contending it infringed upon federal authority. The Supreme Court struck down key provisions, including those criminalizing the failure to carry immigration documents and making it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to seek employment. However, the Court upheld the “show me your papers” provision, allowing police to check the immigration status of individuals during lawful stops if there is reasonable suspicion they are in the country illegally. This decision reignited debates over states’ rights and federal immigration policy (aclu.org).
