The Supreme Court’s decision on Arizona’s immigration law today generated praise, concern and a measure of uncertainty in Massachusetts, one of many states where controversy erupted after Arizona passed the law in 2010.

Advocates for immigrants hailed the court’s decision to strike down several portions of the law, but expressed dismay that the court upheld its most controversial provision – having police check the immigration status of those they detain. Advocates said the ruling could encourage other police departments to question immigrants, even US citizens, and lead to racial profiling and harassment.