CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - A federal judge is set to hear arguments in a challenge to South Carolina's tough new immigration law.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel has set aside three hours on Monday so the parties can argue their cases in Charleston.
The U.S. Justice Department and civil rights groups want an injunction blocking the law from taking effect as scheduled on Jan. 1.
Gov. Nikki Haley and the state want the judge to let the law go into effect until the U.S. Supreme Court can rule on a challenge to an Arizona law that is very similar to South Carolina's new act.
The laws require police, while enforcing other laws, to question a person's immigration status if officers suspect the individual is in the country illegally.
