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TPM: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmem...ration_law.php

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against Alabama's controversial immigration crackdown, ruling that she needed more time to determine whether the law is constitutional.

The law had been scheduled to go into effect on September 1st.U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Blackburn ruled Monday that the law will not go into effect Thursday, but she will rule on the merits of the law by September 29th.

"In entering this motion the court specifically notes it is in no way addressing the merits of the motions," Blackburn wrote.

The law would, among other things, made it a crime for an illegal immigrant to be in the state, and additionally would criminalize hiring or renting property to illegal immigrants. The Department of Justice sued to block the law, arguing that it interferes with federal immigration policies and is therefore unconstitutional.