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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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 ____________!”

10. 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?

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 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.
: immigrants came from northern and western Europe (England, France, Netherlands)
s: immigrants came from southern and eastern Europe (Italy, Russia) and Asia (mainly China)
1950s-now: immigrants come predominantly from Asia and Latin America

14. 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

15. 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?

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

17. 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