Judge Blocks Law Against Immigrants in Alabama

On Monday, a federal judge in Birmingham temporarily blocked a new Alabama law controlling illegal immigrants.

District Judge Sharon L. Blackburn’s order means that the law will not take effect on Sept. 1 as planned. The ruling was praised by Republican leaders — satisfied that the judge did not reject the law — and also by their opponents.

Blackburn did not mention whether the legislation was constitutional or not. Instead, she indicated that more time was required to analyze the demands filed by the Department of Justice, private groups and individuals who claim the state goes too far in implementing this legislation. The judge signaled that she would issue a broader ruling on Sept. 28 and that the order of temporary suspension will be in effect until the day after.

Similar laws have passed in Arizona, Utah, Indiana and Georgia. Federal judges have blocked some or all clauses of the laws in those states.

Last week, Blackburn heard arguments from the Department of Justice and others during a one-day hearing. Both supporters and opponents of the law in Alabama say that it is the toughest in the country against illegal immigrants.

The law would require that schools verify the immigration status of students, although it would not prevent those who reside illegally in the country from attending public schools. It would also make it a crime in Alabama to be an illegal immigrant and to work in that capacity within the state. Additionally, it would make it a crime to help an illegal immigrant, whether through offering a job, a home, giving them a ride or really almost anything else.

Religious leaders have argued that this clause would block their humanitarian work. It would also allow police to imprison illegal immigrants after stopping them for traffic violations. Census figures released this year show that the Hispanic population of the state has doubled in the last decade to reach 185,602 last year.

Isabel Rubio, executive director of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, hoped that Blackburn would block the law completely, but was satisfied with the temporary order. Republican governor Robert Bentley promised to continue to defend the law.