A new Alabama law dubbed “the strongest immigration law in the country” by many officials has been put on hold for at least a month after U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn imposed an injunction Monday.
Blackburn’s decision to block the law for a month was done so in order to allow more time for her to make a ruling on whether parts of the law are constitution. The law was set to go into effect Sept. 1. The injunction could be lifted prior to Sept. 29 if the judge issues her ruling in the case.
An array of organizations have sued to block the law including the U.S. Department of Justice along with civil rights groups and leaders of Alabama’s Catholic, Episcopal and United Methodist Churches. The groups contend the law holds many criminal and civil penalties for illegal immigrants as well as those who harbor, transport, rent to, employ or enter contracts with them.
Governor Robert Bentley issued a statement following Blackburn’s injunction announcement that he looked forward the judge’s ruling on the merits of the case.