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    Judge says Alabama may check students’ immigration status

    Blackburn (AP)U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn sided with the state of Alabama on Wednesday on two key sections of the state's wide-ranging crackdown on illegal immigrants. Blackburn refused to enjoin a law that will compel elementary and secondary school administrators to demand students provide birth certificates to prove they were born in the United States, and then compile lists of illegal immigrant children in their schools. In theory, schools could begin to ask parents about their children's immigration status today, though it's unclear if they will do so, since school has already started.

    Several school administrators spoke out against this part of the law when Alabama lawmakers were debating the measure. Critics of the bill contend that it would turn educators into enforcers of immigration law and might discourage illegal immigrants from enrolling their children in school.

    Blackburn also let stand a law requiring police to question people they've stopped about their immigration status if officers have a "reasonable suspicion" that such people may be in the country illegally--a similar measure to Arizona's SB1070, which sparked national debate when it passed last year. Alabama is the only state that managed to pass this type of law without a judge blocking its enforcement before it could go into effect. Judges struck down similar provisions in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana and Utah.

    These provisions could still be overturned when the court makes its decision on the law as a whole. Blackburn was only considering whether to grant the federal government its request to block the entire law until the court could decide whether it passes legal muster or not.

    You can read Blackburn's 115-page decision here.

     

    194 comments

    • melt  •  7 mths ago
      "Critics of the bill contend that it would turn educators into enforcers of immigration law and might discourage illegal immigrants from enrolling their children in school." so this would mean they need to take their children and go to their OWN country and enroll their kids in their OWN countries schools , and let their OWN country PAY for their education !!!!
      • Kitty 7 mths ago
        No, it would probably mean they would have to pay to have their kids get an education here while they continue to work here illegally... At least the tax payer won't have to pay for the education of these illegals!
      • kf 7 mths ago
        Kitty, do you think parents will send their kids to private schools? They could send them to private schools back home at a much lower cost.
      • Veteran 7 mths ago
        Bravo Melt on your comment. Seems that we have idiots among us that don't understand what the word illegal means. All American citizens should be compelled to offer assistance in helping enforce our laws, especially when it comes to illegal #$%$ eating up taxpayer money. The judge is commended for her judgement.
    • Ken  •  7 mths ago
      if cops knowingly let illegals go because of some political #$%$ they might as well give them all a green light to enter this country. if the cops cant enforce the laws that are broken why have the cops
    • johnny taxpayer  •  7 mths ago
      Critics of the bill contended that it would turn educators into enforcers of immigration law and might discourage illegal immigrants from enrolling their children in school.

      That's the point dummies. Taxpayers don't want to pay to educate illegals.
      • Ann 7 mths ago
        Teachers are struggling to do their jobs with fewer and fewer resources and more and more jump-through-the-hoop, get-the-education-contractors-rich (profiteers like GWB's brother). Do you REALLY want them to devote even more time and energy into doing things that have NOTHING to do with teaching your kids?

        Who will choose to be a teacher if he or she has to add 'law enforcement' officer to his or her list of duties?
      • Beer 7 mths ago
        Unless I misunderstood, the law does not remove illegal immigrants from schools, it just compiles a list of them, all the while continuing to educate them.
      • Nat 7 mths ago
        Ann, if you've ever enrolled a child in school you should know that Teachers have nothing to do with the paper-work, school administrators, counselors, etc. take care of that. I enrolled 2 grandchildren in VA schools this year and had to produce birth certificates for both.
    • Lady Z  •  7 mths ago
      "Critics of the bill contend that it would turn educators into enforcers of immigration law and might discourage illegal immigrants from enrolling their children in school"......And the problem with this would be????
      • Winning 7 mths ago
        Be careful, you're about to be accused of being the Grand Wizard of the KKK for thinking that.
      • Cathy 7 mths ago
        GOOD. 70 % of my property taxes go to the public schools, and I am TIRED of paying for ILLEGALS.
      • Lady Z 7 mths ago
        LOL Winning, Mickey Mouse has a better chance of being a Grand Wizard than me........
    • William S  •  7 mths ago
      If they pass this in Nevada the classrooms would be empty!
      • Dennis 7 mths ago
        Same in California, pass it soon please
      • pepapiga 7 mths ago
        No illegals to educate or house or feed or provide medical care for. AWESOME!!!
      • Maria 7 mths ago
        Yes, that would be wonderful, no illegal immigrants, schools would be empty, teachers would be out of a job, and schools will be close. No illegal immigrants!!!! No jobs!!!
    • Michael  •  7 mths ago
      It is about time that action was taken. Every state needs the same law. We are in a depression and we don't need illegals since the country can not even take care of its own.
    • justplntrd  •  7 mths ago
      Something has puzzled me for a long time, the illegals from mexico are always talking about how "proud" they are to be mexican and how great their country is, so,, why don't they stay there? Surely with some effort they could make their country into something special, improve the schools and government. Mexico has a great deal of mineral wealth, oil and other undeveloped resources. That's what was done to grow the United States. It took work but was well worth the effort. When will these people wise up, take their own country back and and leave the US alone.
      • OANA 7 mths ago
        That's the problem. They messed up their country and now are trying to do the same here...
      • andyh 7 mths ago
        I bet it doesn't take much to puzze you Jethro
      • Sinner's Swing! 7 mths ago
        Andy's real name is Jose.
    • DC  •  7 mths ago
      Critics of the bill contend that it would turn educators into enforcers of immigration law and might discourage illegal immigrants from enrolling their children in school.

      This law does not say the illegals cannot go to school. SCOTUS ruled on that many years ago (stupidiy), that they must be educated - at our expense. The illegals KNOW they are criminals and are worried about being caught for their crimes. If the illegals don't send their anchors to school, that is their own choice.

      If Oshama would just enforce our laws and deport the illegals and their anchors when found, we wouldn't have this problem. Every time Oshama sues states for doing the Feds job, they show how they care more about illegals than legal citizens and the rule of law!

      Good job Alabama !!!
    • Sion  •  7 mths ago
      The law "might discourage illegal immigrants from enrolling their children in school"; I hope so because it costs taxpayers anywhere from $8000-10000 (depending of the state) to educate one student for the year. I don't mind paying whatever the cost to educate an American child, but I don't want my hard earned tax money going to take care of an illegal who shouldn't be here in the first place. They should either pay the cost of tuition or don't attend because taxpayer money is for Americans!
    • Neddo  •  7 mths ago
      The political left does not want a head count of illegal aliens in our public schools because it will become a statistic that when made public will outrage the the American people.
    • Chris M.  •  7 mths ago
      My I.D. gets checked for something every week. Proof of insurance stops; sobriety checkpoints; using a credit card, etc. I have no problem with checking the immigration status of students or anyone else.
    • Common sense  •  7 mths ago
      Finally one for the good guys.
    • do not tread on me  •  7 mths ago
      Attention libtards being in this country illegally is against the law...... a crime..... get it? Way to go Alabama!
    • elizabeth  •  7 mths ago
      Illegals are future democrats. Democrats and progressives don't #$%$ about them for that reason. Here is how to spot an illegal. Short, dark brown, baseball cap, pregnant and pushing a stroller for women, no hablas english. Usually have dirty, long sleeve shirts on too.
    • Jeff  •  7 mths ago
      Good job Alabama!!!
    • Joe Blow  •  7 mths ago
      I might be wrong here but isn't it illegal to NOT report a crime in this country?
      If that is true then what the hell is the debate here? School administrators registering new students or police officers that pull someone over should all be asking. It is the law to have a federal ID on your posession and if you can't produce one as an american you are booked until they can identify you; Illegals can legally get an ID card and if they have one then they probably just stold someone elses identity and SSN.
      Enough's enough! The Law is in place for a reason and it's not there for everyone to interperate for their own cause. Folow the rules or get the hell out.
    • S. Thiebault  •  7 mths ago
      People say...that American kids and others don"t wanna work for low salaries.#$%$ just about every illegal here makes an average of 10 - 20 bucks an hour,even more depending....Get rid of the illegals and give us back our jobs Obama !!!!! Then you will see some change...We should be able to pick and choose our jobs,not be limited to them cause some one that does not belong here has MY FFFFKKKKIINNNGGG JOB !!!!! TAKE CARE OF THY SELF !!!!!
    • Jason  •  7 mths ago
      Well of course they should check status. That is a no brainer.
    • Thameris  •  7 mths ago
      if i was a LEGAL IMMIGRANT or US CITIZEN, I would be #$%$ off that a illegal alien gets a lower tution rate and scholarship preferences for breaking the law.
    • johnny taxpayer  •  7 mths ago
      Three cheers for Judge Blackburn. Good Job. A real American Patriot.
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