Judge may block Oklahoma's anti-illegals law

A federal judge in Oklahoma has taken under advisement a request by Latino groups to block enforcement of a new state law there that targets undocumented immigrants, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge James Payne didn't say when he would issue a ruling, according to the AP report. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

The law is scheduled to take effect today, but the National Council of Latino Clergy, along with several unnamed plaintiffs, say they have already seen negative impacts.

In Utah, Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, has plans to introduce legislation similar to the Oklahoma law, saying states need to take a stand because Congress hasn't solved the illegal immigration issue.

The Oklahoma law makes it harder for undocumented immigrants to receive public benefits, get jobs or rent apartments. It also makes it a felony to transport or harbor undocumented immigrants.

The Oklahoma lawsuit is a second attempt at blocking that state's law. Payne had dismissed the first lawsuit filed by the Latino groups, saying they had no standing to sue because they had not been harmed. The re-filed lawsuit added several unnamed undocumented immigrants who said they face eviction because of the law.