Alabama officials to start enforcing nation's toughest immigration law

Alabama is the new Arizona. Authorities in the Yellowhammer State on Thursday began enforcing one of the strictest immigration laws in the country.

Cops can question those suspected of being in the country illegally and hold them without bond. In addition, officials can check the immigration status of students in public schools.

Those two features of the law were upheld by Federal Judge Sharon Blackbu on Wednesday.

"We intend to enforce it," Republican Gov. Robert Bentley told The Associated Press.

Republican Gov. Bentley said the law would begin to be enforced starting Thursdsay. (Dave Martin/AP)

The bill was modeled after the controversial immigration legislation passed in Arizona in April 2010.

That law required that all immigrants carry documents and gave the police wide liberties to detain suspected immigrants.

In Alabama, the Hispanic population surged by 145% to about 185,000 over the last decade;  the  group represents about 4% of the entire population.

Critics say the new law could lead to widespread discrimination and racial profiling.

Those in the agriculture industry fear Hispanic workers -- critical to harvesting crops in the state -- will flee.

There are three separate lawsuits against the law in Alabama, including one from the Obama administration.

Blackbu's ruling is expected to be appealed.