High court rejects part of Arizona immigration law

The Supreme Court has struck down key provisions of Arizona's crackdown on immigrants.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has struck down key provisions of Arizona's crackdown on immigrants.

But the court said Monday that one much-debated part of the law could go forward -- the portion requiring police to check the status of someone they suspect is not in the United States legally. Even there, though, the justices said the provision could be subject to additional legal challenges.

The decision upholds the "show me your papers" provision for the moment. But it takes the teeth out of it by prohibiting police officers from arresting people on minor immigration charges.

Justice Kennedy wrote the opinion for the court that was unanimous on allowing the status check to go forward. The court was divided on striking down the other portions.

Watch Marcia Coyle's analysis the day of the Arizona arguments here:

The PBS NewsHour traveled to Arizona earlier this Spring to find out how people living on the border viewed the law. Watch that report here:

And watch the impromptu debate between Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and one of his inmates captured by our cameraman here:

Read the full text of Monday's 5-4 decision and SCOTUSblog's live analysis here.