The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will decide whether Arizona's' controversial immigration law is constitutional.

The strict law allows police to check an individual's immigration status during routine traffic stops and similar situations.

Opponents, including the Obama administration, feel the law oversteps boundaries because regulating immigration is the federal government's responsibility, not states.

Arizona leaders said the new law was put in place because the administration wasn't doing its job to stop illegal immigration.

Similar laws in Alabama, South Carolina and Utah are also facing administration lawsuits.

Justice Elena Kagan will not take part in the illegal immigration decision. Kagan worked on the issue when she served in the Justice Department.

Private groups are also suing over immigration measures adopted in Georgia and Indiana.

Arguments are expected to take place in late April, which would give the court roughly two months to decide the case.

About12 million illegal immigrants are believed to live in the United States and the issue is becoming a factor in the 2012 presidential campaign.