Demonstrators stand outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Monday, June 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The Supreme Court has struck down key provisions of Arizona's crackdown on immigrants.

But the court said Monday that one part of the law requiring police to check the status of someone they suspect is not in the United States legally could go forward. Even there, though, the justices said the provision could be subject to additional legal challenges.

Bob Kerrey says compromise needed
Nebraska Democrat Bob Kerrey says if he's elected to the U.S. Senate he'll support immigration reforms that combine leading Republican and Democratic proposals.

Kerrey said Monday that both parties should tone down their political rhetoric on the issue and look for ways to compromise. Otherwise, he says nothing will be accomplished.

Kerrey says he thinks Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican U.S.Senator Marco Rubio all have good ideas.

Kerrey says he supports the reform plan Romney outlined last week although he thinks it should be tweaked.

Kerrey says Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday rejecting most of Arizona's restrictions on illegal immigration demonstrates the need for Congress to act.

Kerrey, the former U.S. Senator, faces Republican state Sen. Deb Fischer in November's general election.

During the primary, Fischer advocated for a tough approach. She says the country needs to secure its borders, enforce existing laws and avoid offering any rewards to illegal immigrants, such as amnesty.

State immigration law challenges to move forward
Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning key provisions in Arizona's illegal immigration law opens the door for courts to strike down similar provisions other in states.

However, supporters of immigration crackdowns say the ruling also gives states a critical role in enforcing federal law. They say it allows local authorities to check the immigration status of those suspected of being in the country illegally.

South Carolina state Sen. Larry Martin is a Republican who sponsored his state's legislation. He says the ruling does give some opportunity for states to interact more closely with the federal government. But he says that beyond that, state officials have their hands tied by federal law.

Laws passed in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana and Utah were modeled at least in part upon the one passed by Arizona in 2010.