The Role of the Supreme Court and Changing Patterns of Immigration Contemporary America The Role of the Supreme Court and Changing Patterns of Immigration

Women and Minorities in the Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall: 1st African- American Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas: 2nd African- American Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: 1st female Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: 2nd female Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: 1st Hispanic Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall Clarence Thomas O’Connor Ginsburg Sotomayor

Civil Rights and Equal Justice The civil rights movement of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s provided a model that other groups have used to extend civil rights and promote equal justice. Since Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, the decisions of the Supreme Court have expanded individual rights.

Protection of Enumerated Rights The United States Supreme Court protects the individual rights enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. Enumerated: specifically mentioned Opposite of unenumerated, which means assumed (or inferred) from certain rights

Right to Privacy The United States Supreme Court identifies a constitutional basis for a right to privacy that is protected from government interference.

New Jersey v. T.L.O., 1985 Facts: A female student was searched at school, and the evidence collected was used by the state in her delinquency trial in juvenile court. T.L.O. are the initials of the 14-year old girl who was caught smoking in the bathroom at school. Later, in the assistant vice principal’s office, she denied smoking. The assistant vice principal demanded her purse and found a pack of cigarettes, rolling papers, marijuana, a pipe, plastic bags, a large amount of money, and a list of students who owed her money. The evidence was used by the New Jersey Juvenile Court to find her guilty of delinquency. Issue: Does a warrantless search of a high school student by a school official violate the 4th Amendment?

New Jersey v. T.L.O., 1985 Decision: Students do have 4th Amendment rights at school, but they are balanced with the school’s responsibility to maintain a safe and educational environment.  The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the New Jersey Supreme Court, holding that school officials can search a student if they have reasonable suspicion.  School officials do not need to have probable cause or obtain a search warrant. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than the probable cause required for police searches of the public at large

Checks and Balances The United States Supreme Court invalidates legislative (Congress) acts and executive (President) actions that the justices agree exceed the authority granted to government officials by the Constitution of the United States. Marbury v. Madison! “judicial ____________!”

Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections, 1966 Facts: Annie Harper was not allowed to register to vote in Virginia because she wasn’t able to pay the state’s poll tax. Virginia law required voters to pay $1.50 tax to register, with the money collected going to public school funding. Ms. Harper sued the Virginia Board of Elections, claiming the poll tax violated her 14th Amendment right to equal protection. Issue: Was the Virginia law requiring a tax to vote in a state election unconstitutional?

Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections, 1966 Decision: The Supreme Court declared the Virginia poll tax law unconstitutional. By making it more difficult for poor people to vote, the state was violating the 14thAmendment guarantee of equal protection. Voting is a fundamental right, and should remain accessible to all citizens. The amount of wealth someone has should have no bearing on their ability to vote freely.

Changing Patterns of Immigration What factors have drawn immigrants to the United States? What immigrant groups account for the bulk of immigration? What issues are currently being debated related to immigration to the United States? What are some contributions made by immigrants?

Modern Immigrants New immigrant groups have increased American diversity and redefined American identity. New and increasing immigration to the United States has been taking place from many diverse countries, especially Asian and Latin American countries. 1607-1871: immigrants came from northern and western Europe (England, France, Netherlands) 1871-1920s: immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe (Italy, Russia) and Asia (mainly China) 1950s-now: immigrants come predominantly from Asia and Latin America

Reasons for Immigration Political freedom from oppressive governments (Cambodians from the 1970s and modern Haitians) Refugees from devastating wars (Middle East as well as Africa) Economic opportunity: more and better jobs in America

Effects of Immigration Strain on government services Maintaining records/taxes becomes harder Filling low-paying jobs in the United States Border issues Should America close its borders?

Effects of Immigration Bilingual Education - English as a Second Language (ESL) courses Pathway to citizenship naturalization Increased cultural diversity

Contributions of Immigrants Rising popularity of ethnic food, music, and the arts Role in labor force: Immigrants continue to do jobs that others will not do, as well as work for less. Expanded source of scientists and engineers