Constitutional Law and Key Case Studies

The Constitution is dynamic and continually interpreted by the branches of government.
Branch Responsibility:
- Executive Branch: Responsible for enforcement of laws.
- Judicial Branch: Interprets laws and makes rulings, but does not enforce them.

Example: The US Marshals – a subagency under the executive responsible for law enforcement.
Problem arises if the executive does not want to enforce laws.
- Legislative branch has no direct power to enforce laws.

Events that led to the forced displacement and extermination of Native Americans, known as the Trail of Tears.
- Supreme Court ruled this was unlawful, but President Andrew Jackson ignored the ruling, highlighting the limit of judicial power.

Nixon Watergate Case: Nixon challenged the Supreme Court's authority.
- Initially prepared to ignore the court’s order, but the unanimous ruling against him led to his resignation.

Presidents often face challenges when Congress does not support required actions, leading to reliance on executive orders.
Contrast between presidential power and that of a monarch.

Event organized for paralegal and law students to gain practical experience by interviewing clients and presenting cases to lawyers.
Benefits include networking with attorneys and potential job offers based on performance during the event.

Arizona created laws aimed at immigration, leading to conflict with federal laws.
- Local dissatisfaction with federal immigration enforcement led to state action.

Preemption: Federal law takes precedence over state law.
- Importance of understanding the Supremacy Clause.
- Express Preemption: Federal law explicitly states its exclusive authority.
- Implied Preemption: Federal regulations are so comprehensive that any state action is believed to conflict with federal intent.

Section 3: Misdemeanor for failing to complete alien registration documents.
- Court deemed this preempted as federal law has an established enforcement mechanism.
Section 5: Misdemeanor for unauthorized employment by undocumented immigrants.
- Court ruled businesses would be liable, not individuals.
Section 6: Allows state officers to arrest individuals based on suspected immigration status, deemed an interference with federal processes.
Section 2B: Mandates immigration status checks upon suspicion, with concerns raised about potential racial profiling.
- Eventually prohibited due to evidence of discriminatory practices following the law's implementation.

Implemented under the Obama administration, targeting immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
Legal challenges arose under the Trump administration concerning its validity and the process by which it could be rescinded.
Criticism of the manner in which the DACA program was annulled highlighted failure to comply with the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

Administrative Procedures Act (APA): Mandates that federal agencies must think through the implications of rule changes before enactment, ensuring decisions are not arbitrary or capricious.
- Importance of deliberation and thorough consideration is stressed to avoid legal loopholes.
Outcome: The courts found the method used to terminate DACA as improperly executed, allowing DACA to remain intact temporarily.

Key takeaway: The interrelationship between federal and state law is complex, importantly illustrated by case studies and historical context.
Understanding the role of the APA and the consequences of executive actions in conjunction with constitutional law is critical for students in legal studies.