SC Governor Nikki Haley signs immigration bill into law
/ FILE
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- A federal judge says he will rule by Dec. 31 whether to block South Carolina's tough new immigration law from taking effect.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel heard arguments Monday from both sides.
The U.S. Justice Department and civil rights groups want an injunction blocking the law from taking effect as scheduled Jan. 1.
Gergel denied the state's request that the law go into effect until the U.S. Supreme Court can rule on a challenge to an Arizona law that is similar to South Carolina's new act.
His questioning of an American Civil Liberties Union attorney indicated he would not block the entire law.
A controversial section requires police, while enforcing other laws, to question a person's immigration status if officers suspect the individual is in the country illegally.
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