What is the relationship between the US Constitution and international law?
The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land and consequently, it takes precedence over international law. The US Constitution is the governing document for all states within the United States and is the ultimate authority of the nation. International law does not supersede US law, nor can it be directly enforced within US borders. That said, the US Supreme Court has indicated that international treaties and customary international law should inform the interpretation of constitutional law. In particular, the Supreme Court has noted that international law may help define the scope of US rights and obligations under the Constitution. At the same time, the US Supreme Court has also noted that international agreements, such as treaties, can become part of US law if they are approved by Congress and signed by the president. In this case, US law and international law become intertwined and certain international laws could become binding within the US. While the US Constitution remains the supreme law of the land, international law may play a role in informing the interpretation of the document. However, international law does not supersede US law and any international agreement must still be approved by Congress and the President for it to take effect within the US.
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