Alabama immigration law stayed until Sept. 29

Chief Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn of the Northern District of Alabama entered an order on Monday enjoining the implementation of HB 56, the Alabama immigration law, which was scheduled to go into effect on September 1, until September 29. This will give the court sufficient time to rule on motions for a preliminary injunction filed in three consolidated lawsuits challenging the law. The motions were filed by a coalition of civil rights and church groups, as well as the United States of America.

Here is the order.  Download Alabama order  It reads as follows:

“This matter comes before the court on the Motions for Preliminary Injunction filed in the above-referenced cases. The court having discussed with counsel its concerns regarding the limited time available to adequately address the numerous challenges to Act 2011-535 [H.B. 56] by the effective date, it is hereby 1 ORDERED that Act 2011-535 [H.B. 56] is TEMPORARILY ENJOINED, and may not be executed or enforced. In entering this order the court specifically notes that it is in no way addressing the merits of the motions.

The court will issue detailed Memorandum Opinions and Orders ruling on the merits of the pending Motions for Preliminary Injunction no later than September 28, 2011. This temporary injunction shall remain in effect until September 29, 2011, or until the court enters its rulings, whichever comes first.” (bold added).

KJ