16 Nations Ask To Federal Court To Join Immigration Lawsuit

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Mexico and 15 Central American and South American countries have asked a federal court to consider their briefs in support of lawsuits seeking to overturn Alabama's new immigration law.

According to Mexico's brief the law, which is slated to go into effect Sept. 1, undermines U.S.-Mexico relations.

"Mexico seeks to ensure that its citizens present in the U.S. are accorded the human and civil rights granted under the U.S. Constitution," the brief states.

Mexico goes on to ask that the federal court declare Alabama's law unconstitutional and prevent it from going into effect.

The controversial Alabama immigration law has attracted Obama administration opposition and raised the concerns of Hispanic evangelicals and other church leaders, who are calling for immigration reform to be “fair” in order to allow Latinos to contribute the country as well as fulfill the Bible's commands.

In a statement posted on its website, the U.S. Mexico Embassy acknowledged the sovereignty of the United States to enact immigration policies within its territories. The embassy also stated the Mexican government "reiterates its unwavering commitment to protect, by all available means, the rights and dignity of Mexicans abroad."

Alabama's HB 56, the embassy states, "could lead to the violation of the civil and human rights of our nationals."

HB 56 requires public schools to check students' immigration status and employers to check workers' statuses via E-Verify. The bill also allows police officers to stop suspected undocumented immigrants.