BU Now » Susan Akram

SCOTUS to review 2007 Arizona law

Dick Taffe — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:53:24 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court will review a 2007 Arizona immigration law that punishes employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. The Justice Department says the law violates a federal law barring states from imposing penalties on those who employ people not in the country legally. Law Professor Susan Akram, an authority on immigration law, says the case is significant in that it tests whether such local measures can supersede federal immigration policy in regulating the employment of aliens.

“The case reflects the far-reaching consequences of states like Arizona ‘taking matters into their own hands,’ as the petition is jointly filed by private business, public, civil rights and immigration groups that rarely agree on immigration issues.”

Contact Susan Akram, 617-358-3060, smakram@bu.edu

Nebraska town targets illegals

Dick Taffe — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:02:48 +0000

With about 57 percent of residents voting for it, the town of Fremont, Neb., has passed an ordinance aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration by banning hiring or renting property to illegals. The town now faces a long legal fight similar to that embroiling the state of Arizona after it recently enacted a law targeting undocumented immigrants. Law Professor Susan Akram, an authority on immigration law, says that in both cases voters and officials are pushing such measures to force the federal government to clamp down harder on illegal immigration in various ways.

“Unfortunately, it does not appear that public opinion has been influenced by the actual facts involved in passing such measures: that they are unlikely to be enforceable because they conflict with an area in which federal law pre-empts most state action; that they are going to be subject to serious and lengthy litigation; and that they are going to cost the states and localities significant resources without achieving the benefits they seek.”

Contact Susan Akaram, 617-358-3060, smakram@bu.edu

Arizona fighting the 14th Amendment

Dick Taffe — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:49:13 +0000

On the heels of passing a controversial law involving screening illegal immigrants, the Arizona legislature is considering a bill that would deny citizenship to children of illegal immigrants, despite the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that specifically grants naturalized citizenship to such children. Law Professor Susan Akram, an authority on immigration law, says getting such a law into constitutionally shape would mean having to amend the U.S. Constitution — which requires a two-thirds majority of both houses and approval by three-quarters of the states.

“Although Arizona’s effort to restrict the guarantees or benefits of birthright citizenship is by no means the first effort of its kind — and not likely to be the last — it has a very slim chance of passing constitutional muster.”

Contact Susan Akram, 617-358-3060, smakram@bu.edu