ATLANTA — A federal judge has heard arguments on a request by civil liberties groups to block Georgia's law cracking down on illegal immigration from taking effect until a legal challenge has been resolved.
The judge said Monday that he would not make an immediate ruling.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash heard arguments from the groups and from lawyers for the state who want the lawsuit dismissed. After the hearing, Thrash said he needs more time to consider the arguments.
The civil liberties groups say the law is unconstitutional. The state says that it should be immune from such challenges and that the law is needed.
The Georgia law has some similarities to laws enacted in Arizona and Utah, parts or all of which have already been blocked by federal judges.
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