The federal government and a coalition of advocacy groups have asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stop Alabama officials from enforcing a strict immigration law that they say has already driven Hispanic students from public schools. They warn that the law’s provisions open the door to discrimination.
A federal judge blocked part of the law, which was passed by the Republican-controlled legislature this year, but she allowed key pieces to stand—including a provision that requires schools to check the legal status of new students when they enroll and report the numbers to state officials.
The leaders of the country’s two largest teachers unions have both denounced the law. It wasn’t clear how soon the court might rule.
