It seems to me supporters and opponents are both pleased and disappointed. Both sides wanted the entire prize, but the Supreme Court's split ruling left everyone wanting more. Does that make it a good decision for an issue as complex as this? Maybe. What I do know is calls for "comprehensive reform in Congress" are a waste of time. It's an election year. No one in Washington is thinking about anything but themselves.

The Supreme Court ruled this morning on the constitutionality of Arizona's law on policing illegal immigrants. The ruling struck down the requirement that all immigrants carry registration papers, and that police can arrest suspected undocumented immigrants without warrants.

But the justices allowed the so-called "check your papers" provision to stand. It requires police officers to check the immigration status of anyone they have already stopped for another reason. The split ruling by the court left supporters and opponents claiming victory, while vowing to continue to fight for their cause. What do you say?

What's your reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling on Arizona's immigration law? Should police officers be required to check the immigration status of people they stop? If that person is suspected to be here illegally, should police have the authority to arrest him or her?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

The supreme court ruling basically allows the police to racially profile, and abuse the rights of people of Hispanic or Latino origins.

Felix
Bay Ridge

I just don't know what part of, illegal, people don't understand.

Jeremy
Forest Hills

I'm pleasantly surprised by the ruling -- given the tough questions with which the justices hammered the Solicitor General, I'd have thought this was a losing proposition for the federal government's side. But as it turned out, even without Elena Kagan's vote, the federal government prevailed in virtually every essential part of the case. It also shows some interesting differences within the so-called conservative bloc of justices -- Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kennedy, at the end of the day, put the federal government properly above the states when it came to immigration law and enforcement, whereas Justices Thomas, Scalia, and Alito, the dissenters in the case, seem content to invite a situation with as many as 50 different sets of deportation laws at work. The mind boggles at their thinking . . . .

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

John,

I think the ruling creates a backdoor into expanded, unconstitutional use of stop and frisk routines. If you are stopped for speeding, I don’t see how this action replaces the Constitutional requirement for a warrant to question and/or search the driver or anyone else in the car or search the car in the absence of one iota of a crime having happened.

Just what does an illegal alien look like?

Are we adopting the Nazi German demand, “Show me your papers?”

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

I have no problem with people of other Countries wanting to make a better life for their Families and themselves. I do however have a problem when these same people ignore our laws and then complain about their status. As if just by being here is enough to warrant Citizenship. America is state of mind, not an ATM machine! If money is all their interested in, then they should seek it else where. I LOVE MY COUNTRY!! I hate seeing "it" (The United States) being taken advantage of in this manner. I agree, with the laws presently in place at this time. Many people have archived legal and deserving Citizenship. It difficult not impossible, simplifying them are not warranted and should be resisted. Do the right thing come here to become an American, not just come seeking money.

Ron - Silver Lake

Congratulations to Arizona. I have been partially paralyzed for 30 of my 56 years because an illegal immigrant was allowed access to this country, alcohol and a car, he then RACED through a red light (in 1975) & proceeded to hit me (a pedestrian) not once but twice because he was too drunk to realize what he had done. That incident caused a series of health related problems that resulted in my suffering 3 strokes when I was just 4 months post 26 years of age, leaving me barely capable of caring for myself let alone 2 young children 8 & 2 in 1983. Yes I am well aware it could have been a natural born citizen that did this damage to me but the fact is it wasn't! He was on a plane a week later, I'm so happy that I could help him find his way back home, just like Glinda the Good Witch!

Terry
Howard Beach, NY

I recently read an article that stated some illegal immigrants paid upwards of $3500.00 to be smuggled into this country. Makes me wonder what they’re hiding? So, yes, absolutely, if a police officer determines a person is here illegally, they should have the FULL AUTHORITY to place that person under arrest to await IMMEDIATE deportation.

Theresa
Hamilton Beach, Queens, NY

Hi John,

Why is it that we American Citizens have to prove who we are in order to enter many places. It seems as though we have to follow the law and this is our country. What are they thinking? So to me it looks as though we have different rules as far as following the law goes for illegal immigrants. Do they hear themselves when they talk about this subject. We are not the enemy. Just think if we all had extra people in our homes to fend for just how long can we keep it up. The demands are becoming ridiculous to say the least. We just can't keep up with the expenses for all of these demands on us. For people to call us names and say we don't have a heart that just is not true. But in some cases we can't always let our hearts rule our heads.

I AM A DAUGHTER OF AND ITALIAN IMMIGRANT. WHEN MY DAD CAME TO AMERICA FOR A BETTER LIFE AND TO EVENTUALLY BECOME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN HE WAS SENT TO FRANCE TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. I'M STILL SO PROUD OF MY DAD AND ALL MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY THAT HAVE SERVED IN THE DIFFERENT WARS. PLUS I NEVER FORGET THE OTHER SERVICEMEN THAT HAVE SERVED THIS COUNTRY EITHER.

GOD BLESS THEM ALL
Thank you John,

maxxiee
mp

Its a zero-sum game. Its benign except the connotation that we live in a Police state. The GOP and its enabler (the Robert's Court) divides and conquers in that it pits one american v another american and/or so-called illegals. Our economy is bad because of them. The real problem is at the top. The Koch brothers and other swells like them want the middle class and the food stamp crowd to pay for them. Reverse robin hood, Ayn Rand's Tea party, Trickle-down; whatever form it takes, they are damnable lies, yet we digest these willingly like pablum or opiates.

JS
Flushing

I wish they would do the sane in nyc...thanks to all the illegal immigrants jobs have been taken from our kids who were born and raised here

Danielle, Harlem.

The way i feel about this is that no one should try to protest this law because if you are here illegally you are breaking the law so as the law enforcement they are trying to protect these laws.

Thomas

what is the "reasonable suspicion" that would permit the arizona cops to stop someone and ask for papers? Just like stop and frisk, it will be the color of someone's skin, their accent, their assumed ethnicity. Just like stop and frisk, it's racial profiling, and a license to terrorize communities of color. I'm ashamed of this country.

meryl from manhattan

I love how everyone from Obama to Harry Reid are concerned about illegal immigrants being profiled…they have yet to speak out Forcefully on the NYPD profiling African American citizens with papers everyday…how is that not unconstitutional…harassing people simply Because of their skin color.

Charles
Chelsea

Granted this is a nation of immigrants. Legal immigrants contribute greatly to our defense, economy and culture. However even with the U.S. being the most open nation on earth there are some who would abuse that reality and "cut in line" in front of others who would obey the rules. The Arizona 1070 ruling however you see it is a check and balance to all the different organizations who support illegal immigration and teach people to break the law. I have sympathy with the illegals but America and American citizens and legal permanent residents come first. America can't do it all alone. Other countries have to fix their own problems for their citizens.

Jimmy from the Bronx.

This is dumb period. Why waste time stopping people. If they are here illegal legalize them then tax them. If they break the law then try them jail time and deport them.

Don

Allowing local police to check the immigration status of those they detain for other reasons ensures that there will be even more of such "stop, question, and frisk" stops, with a disproportionate impact on people who "look" foreign as opposed to, say, Canadians or Europeans. This would be especially problematic in New York City, where many of our city's Hispanics are Puerto Rican, and, thus, American citizens by birth. But, then, if the police can ask for papers that one is not required to carry but can't arrest someone for not having those papers, are such stops even in the public interest?

There are, of course, legitimate reasons for local law enforcement to determine the immigration status of apprehended criminal suspects, for example, when establishing the pedigree of an arrested individual or for determining flight risk when setting bail, and it is also important to identify aliens who have been legally deported and who have unlawfully returned to the U.S., which is, itself, a serious crime. Yet even this process is shunned in so-called "sanctuary cities", where it is often more difficult to prosecute and punish undocumented foreign criminals than it is those who are American citizens.

But the fact remains that any otherwise well-intentioned law enforcement effort that depends primarily on racial profiling is antithetical to a free society and to the presumption of innocence, so it remains to be seen whether the license granted by today's SCOTUS decision will be abused or used judiciously, and whether the Court will have to re-visit these questions in near future as new cases emerge under a an evolving Federal immigration policy.

BIG ANDY
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn

I just have one issue /problem with this immigration ruling. Does this ruling also apply to the europeans who are living and working here without legal status or just to those who are of hispanic heritage? I am sure there are plenty illegal (non-hispanics) who are working and going to school with and expired visa and they seem to have no fear of being deported or of being stopped. Makes you want to go umhhmmm!!!!

Mary

What don't we get........ ILLEGAL ALIENS. Why are we arguing their rights? They shouldn't have any if they already broke the law by being here. Why do we keep taking away tools and tactics from the police? But we want them to protect and serve us...............HOW....?

Ryan
Glendale

I am in favor of asking for papers, provided that 85% of the people that are asked for their papers are white. If an officer does not meet that quota, they are suspended without pay. Otherwise, it is racist and unconstitutional-clear and simple. That is the only way such a law makes sense to me.

Daniel
UES

I strongly believe that Arizona’s Immigration Law is unconstitutional, as it will result in the racial profiling of all legal Latinos. It is unfair to consider someone a suspect simply because they share the same genetic makeup as an illegal immigrant. Listening to the Governor of Arizona only reminds me of what my Grandfather’s generation went through during the round-up of Japanese-Americans in internment camps; it is disgusting and embarrassing!

Monica from the Upper West Side

I think the supreme courts ruling is legalized discrimination and it gives a free pass to law enforcement to stop harrass and racially profile people. There are many illegal immigrants here but it seems like the attention focuses on the hispanic ones. There are many generations of people who are legal citizens why should they be subjected to this? I know ppl who are here illegally and i dont judge them there only crime is poverty until you walk a mile in their shoes dont judge. there has to be a better easier way to become a legal citizen to combat this problem

Jennifer
Ridgewood

Why do people believe that this immigration law pertains ONLY to Hispanics and Latinos? There are so many other nations here that could be affected as well. Nations like Caribbean, Chinese, Arabs, etc. This country has so many programs for non-documented immigrants (no matter where you come from), use them. We want security in this country, yet we don't want to apply some laws. Of course, some law officials are going to abuse it; we will face the situation when it occurs. We always do! In the meantine, let's stop complaining, just obey the law, and watch for the abusers.

Maria, Brooklyn

This is a country of laws and laws most be respected!!The USA is super kind to the non/american citizens and somepeople abuse it to the maximum.I am tired of the mexicans marching,protesting and hollowing how the americans separerate family!1 Give me a break!! You come ilegal to the USA so you str having children thinking tht by doing so you now can stay here.Who separerates who? If i go to Mexico ilegal,the dscrimination will be with no limits and i probably wont be here to tell you more! They re breaking the american inmigration laws,yet they are protesting and calling the americans all kinds of names.THIS IS indeed a country of inmigrant,but (legal) inmigrants only!! They should go to their country and march and yell and call all kinds of names to their president,not in the USA.Working with a false Social Security # Plesase...get i stray.come here legal or leave!

Anonymous

I find it very funny, how the only real natives of this country were the native americans. Immigrants from Europe and other places came and took over, and now their descendants want to turn around and lock the door so nobody else comes in. 95% of the people supporting this law come from a family of immigrants. Immigrants today are no different than immigrants decades ago only that immigrants today find harder immigration laws. Just like the immigrants from colonial times these people seek a better life, and freedom. Dont be hypocrites please.

Marlem

Miriam needs to stop. There is very little comparison between enslaved persons here in the 17th century and the illegal immigrants who come into this country at free will. In New York City it is already illegal to walk around with out identification. If a person on persons are here illegally and are stopped for traffic infractions, or any other alleged illegal act, the authorities have every right to request identification and to contact INS to report an illegal immigrant. There are several thousand people who come into the nation illegally. If people don't like it then they should be pressuring their congressmen and senate representatives to move on real immigration legislation. I agree with Summer, this nation, as does every other nation has the right to patrol their borders.

Rashidah
Inwood

As a New Yorker who now lives in Arizona I feel compelled to speak out. Let me be clear. Very clear. My mother, grandmother and aunt all came from Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1953. They came here legally and were sponsored by our family. They never once became a financial responsibility to either the Federal, State or Local Government. The Federal Government needs to do its job and protect our borders. Ranchers to the South of me have to contend with illegals who indiscreetly leave garbage behind, set fires and kill livestock. Is this fair? Ranchers also have to contend with drug traffickers who cross their land in order to deliver drugs at drop off points to satisfy America's bloated appetite to escape reality.

It is real scary down by the border - you could get shot at just for walking on YOUR LAND. Is this fair? Now the real kicker is that when illegals come into a community, because of the Federal Government's failure to secure the border, it is the local governments that have to supply them with medical care, schooling and other services. Is this fair? The cost is too much and it takes away from other services that the local government can deliver to the community.

As a Hispanic, I do not consider this a Hispanic issue, but an American security problem that needs to be taken care of....and fast.

David
Tucson, Arizona

Its not about race... its all about commissioner Kelly pressuring officers with numbers they must bring in or else!. Quotas breed wrongdoing and corruption. The nypd needs federal oversight simple as that.

Arod