Key Provisions of South Carolina Immigration Enforcement Law Enjoined

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

A federal court today blocked key provisions of South Carolina's immigration enforcement law and recognized that harms could take place if police check a person's immigration status, inviting additional challenges of civil rights abuses. The decision affirms a December 2011 ruling that blocked key sections of the law, including those that aimed to turn unlawful presence into a state crime, and to turn everyday activities such as giving a ride or renting an apartment to an undocumented immigrant into a crime.

 While the U.S. District Court allowed for implementation of a "show me your papers" provision, it invites future challenges involving lengthy detentions and other civil rights issues.  In addition to the ACLU and the ACLU of South Carolina, the law was contested by the U.S. government, National Immigration Law Center, the Southern Poverty Law Center, MALDEF, the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, LatinoJustice PRLDF, Lloyd Law Firm, and Rosen, Rosen & Hagood.

KJ