Ariz. immigration law heads to Supreme Court

Arizona immigration protests
Thousands of protesters rally at the Arizona Capitol on Sunday, April, 25, 2010. Activists called on President Barack Obama to fight a tough new Arizona law targeting illegal immigrants. The law requires Arizona police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion they're in the country illegally, saying it would undoubtedly lead to racial profiling.
AP Photo

As the US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on Arizona's controversial immigration law this week, we'll look at the role Latinos will play in the 2012 election.

How will the immigration debate play out with the presidential candidates?

Efren Perez, political science assistant professor at Vanderbilt University, talked about the Latino vote with Open Market.

"[W]hen politicians make very aggressive references to illegal immigrants, they are in essence turning off many Latinos, a growing segment of the American electorate," he said. "There are many third and fourth generation Latinos who have very little connection to Latin America anymore. These folks are very integrated into American society. They are business owners and might be more responsive to Republican ideas and principles."

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Perez will join The Daily Circuit Monday. Alex Nowrasteh, immigration policy analyst at The Cato Institute, will also join the discussion.

VIDEO: Alex Nowrasteh on immigration reform

KERRI'S TAKEAWAY

Most illegal immigrants are paying taxes and we are reaping some benefits from them.