A state statute provides that only citizens of the United States may be employed by that state. In an action brought in a federal court, a resident alien who was prevented from obtaining state employment as a garbage collector solely because of his alien status challenged the statute's constitutionality as applied to his circumstances. Which of the following statements concerning the burden of persuasion applicable to this suit is correct?
The alien must demonstrate that there is no rational relationship between the citizenship requirement and any legitimate state interest. The alien must demonstrate that the citizenship requirement is not necessary to advance an important state interest. The state must demonstrate that there is a rational relationship between the citizenship requirement and a legitimate state interest. The state must demonstrate that the citizenship requirement is necessary to advance an important state interest