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Court Delays Ruling on Alabama and Georgia Immigration Laws
Atlanta, GA- Thousands of protestors lined the streets in Atlanta to protest tough immigration laws passed by Alabama and Georgia. Meanwhile, the U.S. 11th Court of Appeals convened to hear arguments from both sides of the immigration law issue.
Three judges for the court decided to delay their ruling until after the Supreme Court rules on Arizona’s immigration law later this summer. Oral arguments to determine the constitutionality of Arizona’s immigration law, which is consider the toughest in the country, will begin in April.
Alabama, Georgia, Utah, South Carolina and Indiana have all introduced their own immigration laws which have been blocked by federal authorities, who assert the laws overreach state power, and immigration enforcement is exclusive to federal agencies.
Some of the more contentious parts of these state bills include provisions that would allow police to check the legal status of anyone they detain. Other provisions would make it illegal to employ or provide housing or utilities to anyone, who has not attained legal status through an immigration attorney or other agency.
The immigration laws passed by these states are regarded by critics as an infringement on a person’s civil rights. Immigration lawyers know the challenges that illegal residents face and can help them become citizens or obtain visas.
Immigrants who want to avoid deportation must have the proper documents, but this can be difficult, especially for people who are not native English speakers. These individuals may find that an immigration attorney can make the pathway to citizenship less difficult.
