SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Mitt Romney says he would have preferred that the Supreme Court "give more latitude to the states" in its ruling that effectively took the teeth out of Arizona's tough immigration enforcement law.

The likely Republican presidential nominee told donors Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz., that the law has "become a muddle." Romney says he would have preferred that states have more options to enforce their own immigration laws.

The Supreme Court is upholding Arizona's "show me your papers" requirement for the moment but prohibits police officers from arresting people on minor immigration charges.

The court struck down requirements that all immigrants obtain or carry immigration registration papers or seek work. The ruling also throws out part of the law that allows police to arrest suspected illegal immigrants without warrants.