Judge strikes down Montana immigrant law

A Montana judge has struck down most of a voter-approved law requiring government officials to conduct immigration checks on anybody seeking services from unemployment benefits to crime-victim assistance.

U.S. border patrol agents patrol the border of Montana and Alberta near Sweetgrass, Montana, in 2009.

The law aims to deny services to people who are in the U.S. illegally.

District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock says in his Friday order the law makes up its own definition of "illegal alien" and conflicts with federal immigration laws.

Immigration attorney Shahid Haque-Hausrath said Monday state agencies won't be allowed to screen applicants or ask questions to find out a person's legal status.

Sherlock allowed one provision of the law to stand. It requires state officials to report to immigration officials the name of a person who is not in the U.S. legally.

Sherlock says that provision doesn't conflict with federal law.