WASHINGTON —
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday left intact a ruling that struck down an Arizona law that denied bail to illegal immigrants charged with certain felonies.
U.S. immigration population over time, 1850 - 2013
The justices rejected an appeal filed by Maricopa County and its controversial sheriff, Joe Arpaio.
Three of the court's conservative justices – Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito – said they would have heard the case. Four of the nine justices must agree to hear a case for the court to take it up.
The court's action means the October 2014 ruling by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which said the 2006 law is unconstitutional, is the final word in the case.