Washington, D.C. — In response to today’s oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law, S.B. 1070, Angela Maria Kelley, Vice President of Immigration Policy and Advocacy at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:
Today’s hour-long argument was important, but what the eight judges discussed today is a narrow legal conversation and is not grounded in the reality of what’s happening in communities, especially those of color, across the country. Arizona’s “show me your papers” law is in conflict not just with federal immigration law but with the character of this country. The law ensures people will be profiled based on how they look, dress, and sound. The Arizona law doesn’t stop illegal immigration, and Arizona can’t deport a single undocumented immigrant. In today’s America, ineffective and divisive measures can’t be permitted to stand.
To speak with Angela Kelley, please contact Christina DiPasquale at 202.481.8181 or [email protected].
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