Appeals court blocks parts of Ala. immigration law

A federal appeals court has blocked two parts of the controversial Alabama immigration law, which allows police to ask for papers and arrest those without valid documentation, John Schwartz of The New York Times reports. One provision stated courts could not enforce contracts involving illegal immigrants, and the other prohibited illegal immigrants from doing business with the state. Farmers who rely on immigrants to harvest crops saw almost immediate impacts from the law when the number of workers declined. The court's decision blocks the provisions, pending action by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case against the Arizona immigration law.

Several civil-rights groups and the federal government challenged the law, saying the restrictions are unconstitutional and harm citizens and legal residents who might be mistaken for illegal immigrants. Supporters say the law is necessary to restrict illegal immigration. The American Civil Liberties Union's Cecillia Wang said the ruling provides "immediate and enormous relief for countless people in Alabama who were being stymied in doing their everyday business." The court left untouched two parts of the law that require police to check papers of people they believe with "reasonable suspicion" to be in the country illegally. (Read more)