A civil rights group asked a federal appeals court this week to block a new Arizona law that denies some public benefits to illegal immigrants.
Approved by voters in November, the law requires proof that a person is not an illegal immigrant when applying for some government services, and proof of citizenship when registering to vote. It also mandates that government workers can face jail time if they fail to report illegal immigrants who are seeking the benefits.
In an emergency motion, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to block portions of the law while it appeals a judge's earlier decision allowing the law to go into effect.