Justice Dept. Asks Appeals Court to Block Alabama Immigration Law
- Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:55am by
Billy Hallowell
- Print »
- Email »
ATLANTA (The Blaze/AP) — The federal government asked an appeals court on Friday to halt an Alabama immigration law considered by many as the toughest in the United States, saying it invites discrimination against foreign-born citizens and legal immigrants.
The federal government filed the challenge to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. It claimed Alabama’s new law “is highly likely to expose persons lawfully in the United States, including school children, to new difficulties in routine dealings.”
The overhaul allows authorities to question people suspected of being in the country illegally and hold them without bond. It also lets officials check the immigration status of students in public schools.
A federal judge in Alabama upheld those two key aspects of the law, which have already taken effect.
Those provisions that took effect are what help make the Alabama law stricter than similar laws passed in Arizona, Utah, Indiana and Georgia. Other federal judges have blocked all or parts of the laws in those states.
Immigration became a hot issue in Alabama over the past decade as the state’s Hispanic population grew by 145 percent to about 185,600. While the group still represents only about 4 percent of the population, some counties in north Alabama have large Spanish-speaking communities and schools where most of the students are Hispanic.
The Justice Department’s appeal said parts of the law conflict with federal rules, and that “attempts to drive aliens `off the grid’ will only impede the removal process established by federal law.” It also said the legislation could impact diplomatic relations with foreign countries.
“Alabama is not in a position to answer to other nations for the consequences of its policy,” it said. “That is the responsibility of the federal government, which speaks for all the states and must ensure that the consequences of one state’s foray in to the realm of immigration law are not visited upon the nation as a whole.”
It also said requiring officers to report people without adequate credentials to federal immigration officials “unnecessarily diverts resources from federal enforcement priorities and precludes state and local officials from working in true cooperation with federal officials.”
Watch the full episode. See more Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.
Some in Alabama’s faith community have joined civil rights advocates in opposing the bill. Despite the arguments against the law, there are many who believe that it‘s exactly what is needed to combat the state’s illegal immigration problem.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 700 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 537 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 360 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 357 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 356 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 356 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 360 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 274 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 356 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (62)
BrokenHearted
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:54pmWhat part of illegal don‘t the FED’s get? IF you want to come here, then do the paper work and wait your turn, otherwise stay out. We have enough freeloaders as it is.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:34pmOK ok ok!!! Just throw out the federal laws re-write the US Constitution and use the immigration laws of Mexico here in America!!!! If you are not aware of them, do your research!!! These bleeding heart bottom feeding leeches would SCREAM if that were to happen…no more free health care, no more freed EBT cards, NO MORE Social Seecurity and NO MORE HOME!!
Report Post »jrcess
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:28pmHolder is just a disgusting kaffir.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:35pmInfidel is a comment to that parasite!!
Report Post »Hankstwocents
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:35pmhe deserves tar, feathers and a rail ride.
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 3:11amNaw, really punish him by making him get a jog flipping burgers and asking “Would you like that up-sized?”
Report Post »MrMark
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:01pm“Some in Alabama’s faith community have joined civil rights advocates in opposing the bill.”
I’ve had lengthy online exchanges with some of these people. They are not rational, and keep reciting stories about the woes of the innocent children of illegals and other victims being harmed by the law, all the while ignoring the fact that all of these so-called “victims” are suffering the consequences of their own choice to violate the laws of two sovereign nations in order to be on our soil.
They like to quote from Matthew chapter 25, and claim that illegals are the “least of these” referred to by Jesus there. This couldn’t be further from fact. It’s fairly obvious to any rational person reading that chapter that Jesus was referring to those who had chosen to follow him and were going through tough times, not people suffering because they were running from the law. In fact, it’s pretty clear that He was referring to followers going through tough times because they had chosen to follow him because he refers to them as “…my brothers and sisters.”, and He never refers to non-believers as such.
Some also like to refer to the story of the woman caught in adultery, who Jesus did not condemn, so we should not condemn illegals. This also doesn’t hold water because Jesus told that woman to “…go, and sin no more.” In other words, “…stop breaking laws.”
It’s all emotion and no substance. Sorry, “faith community”. You’re missing the mark on this one.
Report Post »David
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:14pmI’m in the Alabama faith community and I believe that Alabama is within their authority to create such a law and should do so because we have a terrible illegal immigration problem. I’m actually not sure that the law does enough to combat illegals.
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 3:13amVery well said Mark
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:57pmHolder is a complete hypocrite. How many innocent lives will be lost here and in Mexico because of Holder’s illegal actions when he forced his agents to buy guns and send them over to Mexican border to be used to slaughter innocent people. Holder needs to go to jail for a very very long time.
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 1:30pmWoe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20
Totally describes the country we live in today. Racing tward destruction, led by liberals.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:47pmObama administration’s DOJ: Agenda ahead of Lies and corruption!
Report Post »zman61
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:45pmwhy doesn’t he go after San Fransissyco or Chicago for being “sanctuary cities” for illegals? Are they not in line with Federal law? It is so clear that this is merely an attempt to garner all the Hispanic votes. THis man has used government, tax payer money, to purchase guns and give them to Mexican drug cartels and those guns have killed American citizens. I want to see him up on charges ASAP…now I will be reported to attackwatch.com right?
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 3:24amAttackwatch.com sounds so much like a program right out of Nazi Germany, SS goons asking school kids to report anyone criticizing the “Fuhrer”.
Report Post »Not even Bill Clinton supporters were this brazen.
JLGunner
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:44pmThe returning troops should be allowed to have a small vacation in Hawaii. Then on returning to the States, they can get busy building a wall on the border. Our Military has shown they can build a small town in the middle of the desert overnight. If there needs to be help with the plans, I’ll call Korea and get the blueprints. That little thing between the north and south works pretty good.
Report Post »faithfullistener
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:39pmIs there any chance we can ask, petition, or demand that our Surpreme Court BLOCK the U.S. Justice Department and leave Alabama alone? The DOJ has become a questionable joke! Some of their cases that they take-on or even are bring to the Supreme Court are an embarrassment to all of us. And by the way, can I help Eric Holder pack when he leaves??? Please! The guy never knew what he was doing from day one!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:29pmCongress: appoint a special counsel, investigate and REMOVE Holder from his position!
Report Post »knockered
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:39pmBeing that the chief in charge can‘t prove that he is an American he feels it’s ok for anybody that comes into the country should be left alone. We might as well change the name of the U.S. to russia, cuba, england, france or any other of the socialist countries so if we do collapse we will fit right in, just the soros and oblamer want it…Hoping for a big change in 2012, if not we are done… Keep,em loaded and well stocked cause it’s not going to come easy…
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:27pmI would tell the DOJ to go jump in a lake and tell them they are in default for not enforcing the current federal laws on the books and therefore the task has become a state level issue. Since taxpayers pay monies in property taxes or at least I do. More than half my property taxes are paid to the educational fund. When I bought my house I paid 362 dollars. By 2010 it escalated to almost $1,000, which 650 or so was to the school district. Apparently, idiots in my district voted to up a mill levy. Now my state wants to up our state income tax and local taxes to 1999 levels to pay for all things education. I am voting NO, but Hell NO.
I will not pay more taxes to cover illegals in the system. I don‘t care if it is not the children’s fault, it is the fault of the parents. They made a choice to come her illegally; they should not receive any benefits for doing so. They broke our laws. Many probably are using stolen SSAN’s, which is a felony.
It will never stop with Democrats. They take, take and take, and never once think to stop SPENDING!
Report Post »knockered
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:45pmWhy in the world is the federal gov. involved anyway? If the illegals in Alabama are not happy with the law then tney should move to another state that still allows them to stay. This is really a state issue that the feds should not get involved in. If not for the illegal that’s incharge of the country right now alot of this would not be happening. I guess it’s a case of one illegal helping another illegal..
Report Post »escape_from_socialism
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:52pmlucky you, Morris County, NJ, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, .8 ac, $8000 tax.
Report Post »itsallcrazy
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:25pmReally? I live in Bama. Have to get tags for my truck today. Gotta show two forms of government issue identification,proof of insurance,and title. Had to show two forms of identification to get electric turned on,too. I’m a natural born American citizen. My family has been in America since the 1600s. If I have to jump through hoops because they have let illegal immigration get out of control,that’s the real crime here,not making someone who is clearly not a natural born citizen prove that they are here legally.Enough persecuting people who belong here to favor their pet projects.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:23pmYeah, when is someone going to go up there and correct the name on that building & add the correct “IN” before the “justice”?? Another obvious try to press their lib agenda to get more votes, etc. – I just hope more ppl in this nation will wake up to see their true “colors”…..(red and yellow) before it’s too late..
Report Post »Getting desperate folks — the good news about that is when they get that way, their arrogance, ungodliness & foollishness lead them to make mistakes which hopefully will bring them down.
I.Gaspar
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:22pmYou‘d think the DOJ might focus a little on their own problems instead of once again meddling in a state’s business.
Report Post »Hopefully, when holder is let go, things may improve.
fishstx777
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:21pm9.1 percent unemployment and the DOJ is arming illegals with assault rifles and is fighting harder for them then the american people . with Obamas free healthcare , Perrys free college and contracters paying them off the books I want to cross the border and come back as an illegal alien.Hey Holder you should be more worried about the family in mass, that had their son dragged 200 yards by someone that was arrested 7 times and assaulted a police officer he shouldnt even have been in this country .Now that a violation of rights.
Report Post »corcoran
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:19pm“If Washington politicians don’t like the way state leaders are cleaning up their mess……they should quit complaining and pick up a broom”
★★★ THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS READY FOR YOU OBAMA ★★★
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:23pmIf the blasted fed’s would do their job and close the border down, then there would be no need for the states to take action in there own hands.
Report Post »Gita
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:14pmThe Injustice Department strikes again. Eric Holder you will be prosecuted along with your boss Herr Obama when we take our country back!
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:14pmOh, the law is working so now the crook Holder wants to shut it down because he knows how many votes he will lose if the ill-legals can’t vote. Its a STATES ISSUE Jerk..back Off
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:13pmFed. Justice Department is in VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW. INDICTMENT THEM AT THE STATE LEVEL.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:09pmThe Dept of Injustice strikes again……
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:06pmOMG!! They just won’t let us have ONE victory, will they? What is going on when the feds control EVERYTHING the states do now?
Report Post »FToth84
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:03pmGive me a break. I cannot wait for the day, when Eric Holder and many @ the JD are lead away in hand cuffs.
Report Post »Dr. Sax
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:22pmAgreed! In many ways I find Holder even more reprehensible than Obama.
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 3:38amThose people are so power hungry that they would do everything from secret arrests to imposing martial law to stay in power.
Report Post »Mandors
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:02pm“Alabama is not in a position to answer to other nations for the consequences of its policy,”
Nor does it have to be. The internal workings of a state are its own business. Yet again, the consequences of electing a non-American President.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:00pmAlabama’s new law “is highly likely to expose persons lawfully in the United States, including school children, to new difficulties in routine dealings.”
Well GEE, you think!! When YOUR government will not uphold the laws of your land, and even sues not to uphold those laws…………..consider yourself a lawless nation!!
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:59am.
Report Post »The DOJ position: We just can’t have you racist rednecks deporting a valuable future voting block…..
BillyPenn
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 12:27pmSo true !!!
Report Post »