Foes of Ala immigration law seek extended ban

ATLANTA - Opponents of Alabama's crackdown on illegal immigration are citing a recent Supreme Court decision as they ask a federal appeals court to prevent parts of the law from taking effect.

Groups including the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama and the Southern Poverty Law Center argued Friday that the Supreme Court ruling that blocked much of Arizona's law means sections of the Alabama law also are unconstitutional.

The organizations are asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block key parts of the Alabama law even though state legislators passed an amended version. Critics argue those changes didn't fix problems with the law.

The state attorney general's office is defending the law, but it has yet to meet a deadline for filing a brief in support of the act.