Q&A: Arizona's illegal immigration law at Supreme Court

The Arizona law provoked vehement protests from pro-immigrant, Hispanic and Democratic groups

<bold>The US Supreme Court </bold> <bold>will </bold> <bold>hear arguments on Wednesday about the constitutionality of the state of Arizona's strict anti-illegal immigration law.</bold>

The closely watched case could determine whether America's 50 states and countless other jurisdictions are free to enact their own harsh laws, or whether the framework of federal immigration laws - widely viewed as inadequate - remains the last word on the issue.

<paragraph>What does the law do?</paragraph>

<paragraph>What is its current status?</paragraph>

<paragraph>What is the basis of the federal government's argument?</paragraph>

<paragraph>How did Arizona respond?</paragraph>

<paragraph>What's next?</paragraph>