State Files Rehearing Applications to Defend Ability to Enforce Immigration Law
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: September 11, 2012
Governor Robert Bentley on Monday announced the State has filed petitions asking the full 11th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider parts of two opinions issued August 20 regarding Alabama's immigration law.
The
original opinions correctly upheld several parts of the law. However,
the three-judge panel's decision to strike down three of the provisions,
including those dealing with harboring, contracts, and school data, was
contrary to the U.S. Constitution.
"We
are filing this based on principle," Governor Bentley said. "As the
Governor of Alabama, I have a duty to uphold and defend Alabama law.
Federal
courts should not restrain state governments in a way that is contrary
to the U.S. Constitution."
"We
must protect the State of Alabama from the federal government
interfering with our ability to enforce our laws," Governor Bentley
added. "We
owe it to the people of this state to defend the U.S. Constitution and
the right of our legislature to make constitutional policy choices."
