Just as it challenged Arizona’s and Alabama’s strict immigration statutes, the Obama administration this week sued South Carolina to block enforcement of an immigration bill the state passed in June. The law allows police to demand proof of citizenship from anyone they suspect of being undocumented, and like the Alabama law, it imposes criminal penalties on those harboring or transporting illegal immigrants. The Justice Department argues that the state lacks the authority to pass its own immigration laws. “We’re trying to help the federal government do something that they are incapable of or failing to do right now,” said state Attorney General Alan Wilson.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planetThe Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week JuniorSpark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
