Hearing delayed in case over RI immigration order
Last Edited: Monday, 10 Nov 2008, 11:48 AM EST
Created: Monday, 10 Nov 2008, 11:48 AM EST


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) --

A hearing to determine whether Gov. Don Carcieri can be held in contempt of court for not following a judge's order before enacting a crackdown on illegal immigrants has been postponed until Wednesday.

The American Civil Liberties Union wants Carcieri held in contempt for not seeking public comment before implementing an executive order regarding illegal immigrants. The ACLU asked for the postponement today because its lawyer is dealing with a family emergency.

Carcieri's order requires companies doing business with the state to use a federal database, E-Verify, to check the immigration status of new hires.

A Superior Court judge ruled in September that Carcieri could install the program. But it said he had to follow state laws requiring his administration to notify the public and accept public comment before imposing the new rules.
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