Foley v. Connelie
United States Supreme Court
435 U.S. 291 (1978)
Relevant factsFree
New York law barred anyone but U.S. citizens from joining the state police force. Edmund Foley (plaintiff), a lawful permanent resident eligible for eventual naturalization, was barred from taking the state trooper qualifying exams solely because he wasn't yet a citizen. He sued under the Equal Protection Clause; the district court upheld the law, and Foley appealed to the Supreme Court.
IssueFree
Whether a state may limit appointment to its police force to United States citizens.