DOJ opposes Alabama appeal over Immigration law

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice is opposing Alabama's bid to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the legality of a portion of state immigration law that has been blocked by other courts. Al.com reports the state has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments on a portion of the law banning people from harboring, concealing or transporting illegal immigrants or encouraging illegal immigrants to stay in Alabama. The law passed in 2011 and much of it has been blocked by federal courts in Birmingham and Atlanta. However, the courts have given police the power to run immigration checks during traffic stops and other instances. A federal judge eliminated a section of a similar 2011 Georgia law earlier this week saying it's pre-empted by federal law.