SCOTUS ruling on Arizona immigration law could impact Georgia’s law

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday to determine the fate of Arizona’s controversial immigration law.  A number of legal experts believe the high court’s decision could impact the immigration enforcement law, which passed in Georgia last year.

Atlanta immigration attorney Charles Kuck is representing several plaintiffs in the case challenging the State’s law.  He says if justices uphold Arizona’s law, supporters of Georgia’s HB 87 will rejoice.

“If it’s upheld there are strong arguments that Georgia could do whatever it wants on immigration.”

But if justices strike the law down, Kuck believes portions of Georgia’s law could potentially go by the wayside.

“We believe the likely outcome is that the 11th circuit would then likely strike down key provision of the Georgia and Alabama laws.”

Kuck also says since the Supreme Court is one justice short, there could be a tie in the Arizona case.  Justice Elena Kagan has decided to recuse herself because while serving as Solicitor General she was involved in the Obama administration’s initial legal opposition to the law.

Kuck says a tie would mean the lower court ruling halting portions of Arizona’s law from going into effect would stand.

WABE contacted the Georgia Attorney General and Governor Nathan Deal’s office about the case but did not hear back by deadline.