Alex Wong/Getty Images

Jane Pauk of Phoenix, Arizona, shows her support in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after the court announced an immigration law ruling June 25, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court has struck down three parts of the Arizona anti-illegal immigration law, but upheld the controversial "show me your papers" provision.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 5-3 on Arizona's controversial anti-illegal immigration law, striking down three provisions and upholding one. What's considered the heart of law, that police can check the immigration status of people they stop, still stands.

Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal editor for Slate notes that Justice Anthony Kennedy's ruling does not prohibit states outright from experimenting with their own laws, as long as they follow the broad strokes of federal law.

Two of the dissenting justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas would have kept the law completely intact.

The Court will rule on the health care law Thursday.