When a federal appeals court hears arguments Thursday in the legal challenges against tough new laws targeting illegal immigration in Alabama and Georgia, people outside of those two states will be paying attention. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments on two separate challenges to Alabama’s law, one filed by immigrant rights and civil liberties groups and the other filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The three-judge panel will also hear arguments on a challenge to Georgia’s new law filed by activist groups.
