US judge blocks parts of immigration law

A judge has blocked the most controversial sections of Arizona's new immigration law from taking effect today, handing a major legal victory to opponents of the crackdown.

The state law will still take effect today, but without many of the provisions that angered opponents – including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws. The judge also put on hold a part of the law that required immigrants to carry their papers at all times, and made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places.

US District Judge Susan Bolton put those sections on hold until the courts resolve the issues. Opponents say the law will lead to racial profiling and is trumped by federal immigration law.