Judge won't block Okla. immigration law

OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- A federal judge refused to block a strict new immigration law in Oklahoma, which went into effect this week.

The judge ruled against a temporary halt to the law, but the case resumes next week and both sides will eventually argue the merits of the case.

After U.S. District Judge James H. Payne rejected the proposed injunction from immigrant rights groups, the author of House Bill 1804, which eventually became the law, praised the judge's action, The Washington Times said Saturday.

"It is the toughest state-level immigration reform bill in the nation," Oklahoma state Rep. Randy Terrill said. "The judge has effectively validated this approach, and he has effectively given the green light to other states to begin to proceed with measures that are similar to House Bill 1804."

The law not only allows state and local police in Oklahoma to crackdown on illegal immigration, but would require detailed background checks by employers statewide, beginning next year, and denies illegal immigrants any benefits not required by federal law. It also denies drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.