Alabama state legislature (creative commons)

One of the major points in the law is the requirement for public schools to check the immigration status of students. The court decided to temporary appeal that portion after President Barack Obama urged the courts to block it. 

The change comes just weeks after Hispanic parents in Alabama pulled their children out of schools in fear they would later be punished by police officials. Some families even moved out of the state completely to avoid the new law. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, an estimated 130,000 illegal immigrants fled the state after the new law was upheld by a federal judge in late September. 

The decision from the federal appeals court Friday also orders police not to charge immigrants who are unable to prove their citizenship.

Supporters of the bill still have a chance to see the legislation succeed. A final ruling isn’t expected for months where a judge can hear and review more arguments from both sides of the debate.

Reach reporter Mike Vulpo here