WASHINGTON – Another major, politically charged clash between the Obama administration and states is coming before the Supreme Court in the fight over Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Like last month's arguments over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, the immigration case is expected to be decided at the end of June. The argument and decision could provide more fuel for the partisan split over tough state immigration laws backed by Republicans but challenged by the Obama administration.
Wednesday's arguments will focus on whether states can adopt their own immigration measures to deal with an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants, or whether the federal government has almost exclusive authority in the area of immigration.
Arizona was the first of a half-dozen states to enact laws intended to drive illegal immigrants elsewhere.
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