October Term 2011 · Docket 11-182
Can Arizona enforce federal immigration rules?
Arizona claims federal law allows state police to check immigration status. The United States argues this power belongs only to federal agencies.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Paul Clement argued Arizona bears disproportionate costs from illegal immigration.
Clement stated Arizona borrowed federal standards for its own enforcement.
Clement claimed the state enlisted resources for uniform federal laws.
Clement criticized the government's theory on ad hoc versus systematic enforcement.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Arizona argues it bears high costs from illegal immigration. The state wants to use federal standards for enforcement. It seeks to enlist state resources for uniform laws. The United States argues immigration status is a federal matter. It claims state enforcement violates federal exclusivity. The dispute centers on state versus federal power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-47
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 25, 2012.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 45-1
What each side wants
Arizona wants to enforce federal immigration standards using state police.
The United States wants to keep immigration enforcement exclusively federal.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-47
What each side says
Arizona argues state enforcement of federal standards is permissible.
The United States argues state enforcement violates federal exclusivity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-47
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if police have discretion to make calls.
Justice Breyer asked about arresting a Hispanic-looking citizen jogging.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-11
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between state and federal police power. It determines who controls immigration enforcement at the border. It shapes how states interact with federal immigration laws. It impacts daily interactions between police and residents. It clarifies the scope of state sovereignty in this area.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-47
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 3-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 3-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-33 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 33-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 45-1 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 45-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-5 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 27-41 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 27-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 21-35 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 21-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 29-33 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 29-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 3-13 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 3-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 7-11
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 34, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 34, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 37-47
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.