Concerns Remain Over 'Show Your Papers' Provision

Transcript

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

Neither President Obama, nor his Republican rival Mitt Romney spoke on mic about the high court's immigration ruling today, despite the high profile role immigration has played in the presidential election this year. Both presidential campaigns are heavily courting the Latino vote, but today, they offered up only written statements. President Obama's offered a mixed review. He said he was generally pleased, but expressed concern about the Show Me Your Papers provision.

Romney said the whole matter pointed to the need for presidential leadership. We're now joined by our two campaign reporters, starting with Scott Horsley, who is in New Hampshire with the president.

And Scott, it was the administration that had challenged Arizona's law. Does Mr. Obama feel like today's ruling is a vindication?

SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE: I think, on balance, the White House is pleased with the ruling today. The president said that this shows very clearly that a patchwork of state-by-state laws doesn't work when it comes to immigration. That's why it's reserved for federal authority. And he again renewed his promise to work with Congress on a comprehensive plan.

Of course, he's had little success in getting a plan like that over Republic opposition in the Senate, which is why he had to take executive action earlier this month when it comes to the children of - or when it comes to illegal immigrants who came to this country as children, saying they'll be able to stay in the country, at least temporarily.

BLOCK: What does the White House say about the fact that people who are stopped by the law in Arizona could still be questioned about their immigration status and made to show proof that they're in the country legally?

HORSLEY: Well, that's the part of the ruling that the White House is, of course, concerned about. And the president said in a statement that his administration will continue to monitor the enforcement of that closely for any sign of racial profiling. No American should live under a cloud of suspicion because of what they look like, the president said.

At the same time, the Latino groups that Melissa mentioned who are going to also be monitoring this, some of those Latino groups are busy gathering voter registrations. And they plan to use the fact that that piece of the law was upheld as a rallying cry. President Obama enjoys a big advantage over Mitt Romney with Latino voters, so that could actually rebound in his favor this November.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

NPR's Scott Horsley traveling with the president. Thanks, Scott.

HORSLEY: Good to be with you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.