Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (Photo: AZGovernor.gov)

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer issued a statement reacting to the Supreme Court's decision striking down three of the four provisions of the state's controversial immigration law, SB1070, which she signed into law in 2010. Ms. Brewer said she's glad the Court upheld the provision she called "the heart" of the law, which allows police officers to check someone's immigration status in the course of investigating other crimes as long as there is "reasonable suspicion" that person is here illegally.

"Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for the rule of law. It is also a victory for the 10th Amendment and all Americans who believe in the inherent right and responsibility of states to defend their citizens," Ms. Brewer said. "After more than two years of legal challenges, the heart of SB 1070 can now be implemented in accordance with the U.S. Constitution."

Other supporters of the law, including Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Congressman Steve King, also responded to today's Supreme Court ruling. 

Critics of SB1070 have argued giving police the authority to check immigration status based on "reasonable suspicion" leads to racial profiling. Ms. Brewer rejected the notion the law can lead to civil rights violations.

"I know the State of Arizona and its law enforcement officers are up to the task. The case for SB 1070 has always been about our support for the rule of law. That means every law, including those against both illegal immigration and racial profiling," Ms. Brewer said. "Law enforcement will be held accountable should this statute be misused in a fashion that violates an individual's civil rights....Upon signing SB 1070 in 2010, I issued an Executive Order directing the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) to develop and provide training to ensure our officers are prepared to enforce this law efficiently, effectively and in a manner consistent with the Constitution....I am confident our officers are prepared to carry out this law responsibly and lawfully. Nothing less is acceptable."

Mr. Arpaio, the Sheriff of Arizona's Maricopa County and an outspoken supporter of the law, gave an interview discussing the Supreme Court ruling to the ABC affiliate in Phoenix. He echoed the notion the training provided to Arizona's law enforcement officers will prevent any risk of racial profiling.

"We do not racial profile. I think we have the most trained law enforcement officers in the country, because ICE has trained 100 of my deputies," said Mr. Arpaio. "One hundred of my officers have been trained--five week courses federal training, so we are well-trained to perform our duties in this manner."

Congressman King, the vice chairman of the House immigration subcommittee, also said he was pleased the Court upheld the provision of the law allowing police officers to check the immigration status of suspects while pursuing other crimes.

“The most important component was upheld. And that’s the reasonable suspicion component,” Mr. King said in an interview on Fox News. “That will give some of the states more confidence to go forward with their own reasonable suspicion laws."

Though he was glad to see the reasonable provision was upheld, Mr. King didn't entirely agree with Ms. Brewer's view the Court's decision was a "victory for the rule of law." He told Fox Governor Brewer was “more optimistic" than he is about the ruling.

Arizona's state flag.

Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-3 mostly in favor of the federal government and struck down portions of Arizona's controversial immigration law SB1070. Both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney quickly released statements reacting to the ruling.

President Obama praised the Court's decision and said Congress must come up with "comprehensive immigration reform."

"I am pleased that the Supreme Court has struck down key provisions of Arizona's immigration law," the president said. "What this decision makes unmistakably clear is that Congress must act on comprehensive immigration reform. A patchwork  of state laws is not a solution to our broken immigration system – it’s part of the problem."

Mr. Romney used the occasion to accuse the president of failing to "provide any leadership on immigration."

“Today's decision underscores the need for a President who will lead on this critical issue and work in a bipartisan fashion to pursue a national immigration strategy. President Obama has failed to provide any leadership on immigration. This represents yet another broken promise by this President," Mr. Romney said. "I believe that each state has the duty--and the right--to secure our borders and preserve the rule of law, particularly when the federal government has failed to meet its responsibilities. As Candidate Obama, he promised to present an immigration plan during his first year in office.  But 4 years later, we are still waiting.”

President Obama also pledged to work with Congress to help come up with an immigration reform plan.

"I will work with anyone in Congress who’s willing to make progress on comprehensive immigration reform that addresses our economic needs and security needs, and upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants," said President Obama. "And in the meantime, we will continue to use every federal resource to protect the safety and civil rights of all Americans, and treat all our people with dignity and respect."

The Court struck down three provisions of SB1070 including; authorizing police to arrest immigrants without a warrant if there was "probable cause" they committed any offense for which they could be deported, making it a crime for "unauthorized immigrants" not to carry government identification and forbidding anyone not authorized to work in the country to solicit employement including by standing in a parking lot and giving a "gesture or nod" indicating their willingness to work.

Though the Court struck down these provisions of SB1070, which was signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in April 2010, it upheld perhaps the most controversial part of the law, a provision allowing police officers to check someone's immigration status while investigating other crimes as long as there is "reasonable suspicion" that person is here illegally. President Obama said he is still "concerned" about this provision of the law, which many have said could encourage racial profiling.

"I remain concerned about the practical impact of the remaining provision of the Arizona law that requires local law enforcement officials to check the immigration status of anyone they even suspect to be here illegally," President Obama said. "No American should ever live under a cloud of suspicion just because of what they look like. Going forward, we must ensure that Arizona law enforcement officials do not enforce this law in a manner that undermines the civil rights of Americans, as the Court’s decision recognizes."

Jim Gilchrist (Photo: Facebook)

Jim Gilchrist, the co-founder of the controversial vigilante immigration enforcement group, the Minuteman Project, took to his Facebook page this evening to make sure no one associates him with fellow border vigilante Jason Todd "J.T." Ready, who is being accused of killing four people in Arizona on Wednesday before committing suicide. Mr. Gilchrist wrote his Facebook update in response to articles that identified Mr. Ready as being affiliated with the Minuteman Project.

"J.T. Ready appeared at one of the Minuteman Project border observation outposts once in April 2005 to hand out white supremacy leaflets. He was summarily escorted from the outpost and warned not to infiltrate our group," Mr. Gilchrist wrote.

Mr. Ready founded two vigilante border patrol groups; the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and the U.S. Border Guard. He was also  associated with various Neo Nazi groups and was campaigning to be sheriff in Arizona's Pinal County. The four people shot by Mr. Ready include his girlfriend, her two daughters and the boyfriend of her older daughter. Mr. Gilchrist described Mr. Ready as a lone wolf who had major issues.

"He operated an extremist group that never had more than five or six members of like-minded racists. Ready was a lone ranger who had been dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps and who had obvious personality disorders and other mental health problems," Mr. Gilchrist wrote.

Mr. Gilchrist said he has demanded a retraction from media organizations that identified Mr. Ready as a member of the Minuteman Project.

"My ability to speak clearly and forcefully on the issues has been greatly diminished by the hyper-partisan discussion of personal issues that sometimes comes from a presidential campaign," Mr. Grenell said in a statement announcing his resignation.

This story has led to a fresh batch of questions about whether or not gays and lesbians have a place in the Republican party. Mr. Grenell may have been the only openly gay person to take a prominent role on Mr. Romney's campaign, but there is a growing number of openly gay Republicans gaining prominence in the GOP.

Read on to acquaint yourself ten of the top power gay Republicans.

Mitt Romney, happy. (Photo: Getty)

Mitt Romney bested Rick Santorum in a pair Republican presidential primaries tonight--a widely expected win in Arizona and a close, crucial victory in Michigan. With his wins tonight, Mr. Romney built on his delegate lead and stopped the momentum Mr. Santorum was beginning to enjoy after a trio of victories in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado earlier this month. Mr. Romney has a personal history in Michigan. His father served as governor there from 1963 until 1969. Despite Mr. Romney's ties to the Wolverine State, the race became close as Mr. Santorum surged in the polls. Both candidates made a major push to win Michigan complete with vicious ads and accusations of dirty politics.

Mr. Santorum's chances of earning the Republican nomination may have suffered a setback, but his campaign likely isn't giving up. Earlier this morning, Mr. Santorum's campaign manager, Michael Biundo, wrote a post on his Facebook page declaring his candidate the real winner of Michigan primary regardless of the outcome.

"No matter what happens here on election day. Rick Santorum has already won Mitts home state of Michigan by making him out spend us at least five to one in what should have been a easy victory for him," Mr. Biundo wrote.

The next vote coming up before next week's "Super Tuesday" flood of states is Washington, which votes this Saturday.

Christine Quinn

Several New York City Council members want to wade into the battle over Arizona's controversial illegal immigration law, SB1070. Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Councilmen Ydanis Rodriguez and Daniel Dromm plan to introduce a bill today urging the Supreme Court to uphold a federal injunction against the law. SB1070, which was originally signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in April 2010, mandates immigrants in Arizona to carry their federal registration documents at all times and requires police officers to detain those they suspect are here without authorization and verify their immigration status "when practicable." Three months after SB1070 was passed, the Department of Justice successfully sued in federal court to stop enforcement of the law before it took effect. Arizona appealed the injunction, and on December 12, the Supreme Court announced it would hear the case.

"New York is a town founded by immigrants, built by immigrants and today nearly 40% of our population are immigrants," Councilman Rodriguez said in a statement announcing the bill. "So when we in the Council see other parts of the country stripping immigrants of their rights, there is no question that we have to act. As the Supreme Court gets ready to decide on the Justice Deparment's challenge to SB1070, we want them to know that New York City stands with the immigrants of Arizona in saying that this law has got to go."

Councilman Dromm said the solution to the illegal immigration in this country is "comprehensive" reform rather than "the passage of draconian laws like SB1070. "

“I am proud to join my colleagues in the City Council in supporting the lawsuit against Arizona’s blatantly unconstitutional anti-immigrant law popularly known as SB.1070,” Councilman Dromm said. “By filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, New York City will add its voice to the chorus of municipalities across the country that recognize that such local usurpation of federal immigration authority is bad policy. Pitting local law enforcement against the immigrant communities they are sworn to protect endangers all of us."

In May 2010, the Los Angeles City Council took drastic action against SB1070 by voting to ban most official city travel to Arizona and future contracts with companies based in the state. Protests against sb1070 have been held around the country and Al Sharpton has called for a boycott of the entire state.