Alabama governor Robert Bentley scored a major legislative victory Wednesday after a federal judge refused to block key parts of a closely watched Alabama immigration reform law, allowing key components of the measure to stand.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn ruled on a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to block the law. Ms. Blackburn upheld a provision of the state law related to police stops and detentions of people suspected of being in the country illegally. In announcing the ruling, Ms. Blackburn granted the Obama administration’s request to block certain portions of the law until she makes a final ruling.
Legislators and attorneys for Alabama have argued the federal government has not done enough to enforce immigration law and has essentially forced Alabama to act to protect the state’s economy. Alabama legislators noted that in passing the law, they were essentially following through on promises made during the 2010 campaign.
The measure, which requires proof of citizenship when renewing or applying for a driver license and requires all employers to use the ALverify system, has faced a number of legal challenges from opponents, who say it is the nation’s strictest immigration law.
Neither Mr. Bentley nor Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange had any immediate comment on when the state would begin enforcing parts of the law.
