The Supreme Court takes on Arizona's immigration law: Bad for Obama?
Team Obama was hoping the high court would put the controversial issue on the back burner as the 2012 election heats up. No dice

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Add a fiercely polarizing immigration law to the list of controversial topics being tackled by the Supreme Court in its "potentially epic" term. The nation's highest court announced Monday that it would rule on the constitutionality of Arizona's headline-making crackdown on illegal immigration, virtually assuring that the issue will become a key point of contention in the 2012 presidential race. The review adds to an already high-profile caseload that includes challenges to President Obama's health-care reform law. A decision on the immigration law, which was strongly opposed by the White House, is expected by late June, just as the general election is heating up. Does thrusting the volatile immigration issue into the race help or hurt the president's re-election chances?
This could hurt Obama: Sure, putting immigration front and center during the campaign could boost "Obama's appeal among Latinos," says Josh Gerstein at Politico. But Obama will pay a price, too. That's because this case's prominence will likely diminish the president's appeal to "swing voters who tend to be broadly supportive of legislation to rein in illegal immigration."
"Arizona immigration law to be heard by Supreme Court"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Actually, even an unfavorable decision could help Obama: "Counterintuitively, I think the White House privately wants to lose the case," says Mark Krikorian at National Review. It would give Team Obama an opportunity to show "leftist allies how important it is to get out the vote, however disappointed they might be in The One's performance, because he'll appoint justices that won't rule like this."
"Supremes to hear Arizona immigration appeal"
It all depends how the court rules: The Obama administration wanted the Supreme Court to "steer clear of the issue," says David G. Savage at the Los Angeles Times. Arizona's law complicates a re-election bid that is already a minefield. Yes, a victory would allow Obama to tell his Latino supporters that he stopped an unjust immigration crackdown. But a loss would be an embarrassing rebuke. And win or lose, the prominence of this case will "elevate illegal immigration as a political issue," and potentially fire up the GOP base.
"Supreme Court may weigh in on Arizona immigration law"
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
10 things you need to know today: October 1, 2023
Daily Briefing Government shutdown avoided as Congress passes temporary funding bill, Supreme Court to begin new term as major cases await, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
6 thrilling reads chosen by Ken Follett
Feature The historical novelist suggests works by Frank Herbert, Charles Dickens and more
By The Week Staff Published
-
Dress-down democracy
Feature What we lose when we shun suits and ties
By Theunis Bates Published
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Will the cannabis banking bill get the Senate's green light?
Talking Point The SAFER Banking Act is advancing to the US Senate for the first time, clearing a major hurdle for legal cannabis businesses. Does it stand a chance?
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Trump surrenders in Georgia election subversion case
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries chosen to succeed Pelosi as leader of House Democrats
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
GOP leader Kevin McCarthy's bid for House speaker may really be in peril
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Are China's protests a real threat for Beijing?
opinion The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
By Harold Maass Published
-
Who is Nick Fuentes, the white nationalist who dined with Trump and Kanye?
Speed Read From Charlottesville to Mar-a-Lago in just five years
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Jury convicts Oath Keepers Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy in landmark Jan. 6 verdict
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published