The issue focused on laws protecting civil rights and enforcement of criminal law. Law enforcement authorities must enforce federal laws against illegal immigration, while states can legalize illegal immigrants if they choose to do so. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case in April 2015.

Many legal scholars agree that legalizing illegal immigrants would increase crime rates because illegal immigrants often cross state lines to commit crimes. Illegal immigrants also tend to use public assistance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Legalizing illegal immigrants could cause government agencies to lose funding for education