Alabama enacted its tough immigration law today, considered the “meanest” in the country, just one day after a federal judge ruled in favor of allowing key provisions of the law to take effect.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn ruled that the Alabama law did not conflict with federal immigration law, even though she did block other parts of the law from being enacted.
“Today is a dark day for Alabama,” said Mary Bauer, legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center. “This decision not only places Alabama on the wrong side of history but also demonstrates that the rights and freedoms so fundamental to our nation and its history can be manipulated by hate and political agendas — at least for a time.”
The parts of the law that went into effect include the provision that police question and detain individuals they believe may be in the country illegally and public schools will also have to question and confirm students’ legal status.
Officials will not be allowed to enforce the parts of the law that prohibit undocumented immigrants from seeking jobs or applying to public universities. The state will also not be permitted to penalize individuals who transport or house undocumented immigrants.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says he believes the law is still the “strongest” immigration measure in the nation and that he is confident the rest of the provisions will eventually be allowed to take effect.
“With those parts that were upheld, we have the strongest immigration law in this country,” he said. “I believe that all sections of our law will be upheld.”
Several civil rights groups have already filed a motion in attempt to delay enforcement of the law before Blackburn’s ruling is reviewed by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
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