Bentley likes what's left of Ala. immigration law

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Gov. Robert Bentley says he's pleased with how much of Alabama's immigration law got left intact by a federal appeals court, and he's uncertain whether the state will appeal the ruling.

Bentley commented Tuesday after assessing the ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

He said the appeals court left intact key provisions designed to keep illegal immigrants from getting jobs and state licenses.

The appeals court did block schools from checking the immigration status of new students. Bentley said he did not feel that part of the law was necessary to achieve Alabama's goals, but he didn't like losing on any issue on appeal.