President Obama took on Arizona's controversial immigration law and won a lot more than a split decision at the US Supreme Court.
The dispute was over a tough state statute designed to make it virtually impossible for illegal immigrants to live and work in Arizona, where Republicans are in power. The Obama administration sided with immigrant rights groups, arguing that the law violated the administration's exclusive control over immigration.
On June 25, the high court struck down three provisions but upheld the centerpiece of the law, the "show me your papers" requirement.
While Arizona Republicans claimed a measure of victory, the Obama administration viewed the dispute as a piece of a larger puzzle. Ten days before the Supreme Court decision, the president implemented his own version of the DREAM Act, offering two-year work permits to young illegal immigrants who qualify.
The message was clear: Mr. Obama is a friend of Latinos; Republicans, not so much.
It resonated.
In November, Obama received 71 percent of the Latino vote; his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, 27 percent.
– Warren Richey, Staff Writer
