Opinions about the decision

U.S. SENATE

• Jon Kyl (R) and John McCain (R), joint statement - "Today's ruling appears to validate a key component of Arizona's immigration law, SB 1070. The Arizona law was born out of the state's frustration with the burdens that illegal immigration and continued drug smuggling impose on its schools, hospitals, criminal justice system and fragile desert environment, and an administration that chooses to set enforcement policies based on a political agenda, not the laws as written by Congress."

• Wil Cardon (R) - "Unfortunately, today's ambiguous 'split the baby' decision on SB 1070 isn't what Arizona needs to solve our illegal immigration problem. We need ... clarity when it comes to immigration law, a muscular strategy to secure our border and strong, determined action."

• Richard Carmona (D) - "For decades, politicians in Washington have talked about this problem, but nothing ever gets done and Arizonans continue to shoulder the burden of a broken immigration system. SB 1070 is a product of the federal government's failure to act. Today's ruling does not help us secure the border, and it does not provide a solution for the 400,000 undocumented people living in Arizona.

"SB 1070 doesn't help local law enforcement fix the problem. It's a distraction that hinders our ability to build trust with the communities we serve."

• Jeff Flake (R) - "It's troubling to me and to Arizonans that the Obama administration has wasted time and taxpayer money in court, rather than fulfilling its responsibility to secure the border. Arizona will have to continue to wait until we have an administration that will exert the leadership to do what needs to be done to secure the border."

• Bryan Hackbarth (R) - "I'm disappointed that the key parts where found to be unconstitutional. Now, more than ever, Congress must act on dealing with the 12 million-plus illegals within our borders."

• Clair Van Steenwyk (R) - "I believe once again we're getting lost in political correctness by our courts. I've listened to them and those talking about it, and they only discuss immigration so I suppose they don't believe it's illegal. Please check Article 1, Section 8, Clause 15 and see if our federally elected officials are protecting U.S. or violating the very Constitution they pledge to adhere to."

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1

• Ann Kirkpatrick (D) - "Today's Supreme Court ruling is a reminder that this law hasn't solved anything. What we need is a federal immigration strategy that secures our borders while offering fair and sensible reforms."

• Wenona Benally Baldenegro (D) - "The U.S. Supreme Court sent a clear message to Arizona that immigration remains within the exclusive power of the federal government. While three out of four provisions of the law are no longer enforceable, the Justices endorsed the 'show me your papers' provision - the crux of the law that leaves open the door to potential racial profiling and pretextual stops. Allowing a confusing patchwork of state laws to remain on the books is not the solution to immigration reform. We must monitor Arizona's exercise of this provision while ... pursuing challenges to eliminate it. More than ever, we need to continue working to pass a federal immigration reform law."

• Patrick Gatti (R) - "Finally!!! Arizona's position, and its ability to deal with the federal government's disregard towards securing our border has been established. The most important part of SB 1070 was ruled constitutional."

• Jonathan Paton (R) - "After more than two years of legal attacks by the Obama administration on Arizona, I am pleased to see that the heart of SB 1070 has been upheld. I voted for SB 1070 because Arizona had to take action in light of the federal government's failure to enforce immigration laws."

• Doug Wade (R) - "The Supreme Court's ruling today is a small legal victory for State's Rights under the 10th Amendment, but once again it has meant long delays towards any meaningful solutions to our immense immigration and border problems."

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2

• Ron Barber (D) - "The federal government has failed to fix our broken immigration system or to secure the border - failures that cost the people of Arizona more than those in other states.

"SB 1070 was an expression of Arizona's frustration - but it did nothing to make our border secure, as even Gov. Jan Brewer has admitted. We must give renewed attention to stopping the drug cartels that have inflicted their violence on so many innocent people.

"Today's court decision leaves open the essential question of how we make sure that all Americans enjoy the protections against discriminatory treatment that are guaranteed by our Constitution, and it also still fails to offer any remedy for securing our border."

• Matt Heinz (D) - "Today, the Supreme Court rendered a decision on Arizona v. United States to reaffirm the federal government's role as primary enforcer of immigration policy. Thankfully, this decision prevents states from creating their own immigration policies in violation of the Constitution while recognizing the need for cooperation between state and federal authorities in the enforcement of existing, constitutionally sound laws. Unfortunately, a portion of the law remains, which continues to threaten the rights and liberties of our citizens and legal residents.

"I oppose SB 1070's reckless threat to the civil rights and liberties of my constituents and fellow Americans."

• Mark Koskiniemi (R) - "Today's ruling by the Supreme Court reinforces once again the need for Congress to take appropriate action to reform our immigration policies and address the issue of border security in ways that protect the interests of Arizona and our country. While the Supreme Court would welcome cooperation and coordination between federal and state authorities, it is clear that the executive branch is resistant. By upholding part of the law, the court dismissed the federal government's assertion that Arizona could not be trusted to do the right thing."

• Martha McSally (R) - "SB 1070 was passed here in Arizona because the federal government is failing to do its job and we are dealing with the significant public-safety and fiscal consequences in our state. Congress and the president must stop the political gridlock and do what it takes secure our border, pass comprehensive immigration reform, and enforce laws already on the books, now in partnership with state law enforcement."

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3

• Raúl Grijalva (D) - "I'm gratified that the court struck down those three provisions. It basically affirmed that this is a federal responsibility, not a state responsibility, and in doing so placed the onus where it belongs - on the U.S. Congress. Congress needs to quit exploiting this issue, quit running away from it, quit using immigrants and communities as cannon fodder to get elected. Congress needs to look at a bipartisan way to move forward."

• Amanda Aguirre (D) - "The Supreme Court ruling today is a victory for the Hispanic families and for President Obama. We will monitor the enforcement of the remaining provision to make sure immigrants do not become victims of racial profiling by the law enforcement."

• Manny Arreguin (D) - "How can either side claim victory over a decision that further divides us? True immigration reform stops assigning blame, invites leadership to dialogue differences and holds Congress accountable to do their job."

• Gabriela Saucedo Mercer (R) - "Today, a key provision of SB 1070 was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States, and it is a victory for the state of Arizona and the American people. Previously, officers of the law were forbidden to even inquire on legal status during routine law enforcement activities. The Supreme Court sided with Arizona on this provision, the most debated piece of the legislation. The decision will allow this provision of SB 1070 to immediately go into effect in the state of Arizona.

"The decision confirms the right of Arizona to supplement the enforcement of federal law so long as state efforts do not directly contravene federal law."

• Jaime Vasquez (R) - "Today's ruling on SB 1070 is a partial win for the people that support SB 1070. I feel that the most relevant part of the law favors Arizona. The initial interview when an officer stops someone for a violation is where it all starts. Arizona's officers are well trained in this area."

OTHERS

• Gov. Jan Brewer (R) - "As though we needed any more evidence, President Obama has demonstrated anew his utter disregard for the safety and security of the Arizona people. Within the last two hours, I have been notified the Obama administration has revoked the 287(g) agreement under the authority of which Arizona law enforcement officers have partnered with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration law. ... The president's action should be of concern to all Americans."

• House Speaker Andy Tobin (R) - "It is unfortunate the Obama administration is not interested in enforcing the law and attempted, through Attorney General Holder, to prevent SB 1070 from being implemented. SB 1070 would not have been necessary had the administration been willing to support Arizona with appropriate enforcement strategies."

• Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild (D) - "I remain concerned with the provision the Supreme Court upheld today ... because the court left this provision in play, even while it acknowledged that enforcement could violate people's constitutional rights. ... Forcing a federal responsibility - immigration enforcement - onto cities, counties and town is the wrong approach.

"I want it to be very clear to the people of Tucson and to people visiting our city - we will not violate people's civil rights in enforcing this law."

• Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor - "I think this is a setback for local law enforcement. This is not what we are here to do. We are there for the safety of all involved, not the federal immigration enforcement. That is not our role.

"We will do our best to enforce the law. But we are in uncharted territory on this issue."

• Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik - "From our point of view, that hasn't changed anything. We have turned over to the Border Patrol on a regular basis people whom we routinely come in contact with for some other lawful purpose that we believe may be here illegally. We've always done that and will continue to do that."

• Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías (D) - "Upholding Section 2(B) burdens law enforcement at time when public resources are already limited. ... Ultimately, I believe the court will review this matter again and find it unconstitutional."

• State Senate President Steve Pierce (R) - "Our state has grown frustrated by the lack of security at our border with Mexico and inaction by the federal government. SB 1070 grew out of that frustration. It was a common sense bill that I supported, along with nearly every member of our Caucus."

• Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, bishop of Tucson and Arizona Catholic Conference - "This provision of the law will not enhance security, benefit the economy of our state, or foster its well-being. Rather this provision might separate families, create the possibility of racial profiling even if unintended by the law, heighten fear in the immigrant community, jeopardize community policing, and not fix the federal immigration policy which many across the political spectrum have said is broken."

• Anthony D. Romero, ACLU executive director - "The court has left the door open to racial profiling and illegal detentions in Arizona. The ACLU has amassed an $8.77 million war chest to fight those battles in court and to counter any and every anti-immigrant copycat measure in other states. The xenophobic virus in Arizona must be contained before it spreads to other states."

• Edmundo Hidalgo, president and CEO of Chicanos por la Causa - "We intend to document abuses and reopen our lawsuit on racial profiling. Furthermore, an undue burden will now fall on law enforcement officials who will be tasked with investing time and resources to implement this provision of the law, detracting their efforts from where they would be better invested - protecting us from criminals who commit felony offenses."

• Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever - "While this is not a total win, it is a partial victory for sheriffs, who are constitutional officers, and confirms we have the authority to inquire of the legal status of people we think are here illegally."