No, this isn’t some slavery-era law or Jim Crow. It's Arizona’s strict immigration law that requires police to verify the immigration status of anyone they think may have entered the country illegally during routine stops. And according to a federal judge, it’s in effect right now.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton lifted an injunction on Section 2B of Senate Bill 1070, dubbed the “show your papers” law, after the law was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June.

"Today is the day we have awaited for more than two years," Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said in a statement. "It must be enforced efficiently, effectively and in harmony with the Constitution and civil rights. I have full faith and confidence that Arizona's State and local law enforcement officers are prepared for this task."

Bolton ruled that Arizona police can begin enforcing the law immediately.

The “show your papers” provision is just part of a broad immigration reform passed by Brewer in 2010. In June, the Supreme Court struck down several portions of the law, but saved what some called the legislation's most egregious section. 

However, opponents of the contentious law say that giving law enforcement such broad power will result in widespread racial profiling, and many are looking to the president to step in on their behalf.

"President Obama has the moral responsibility and legal authority to protect the people of Arizona," the National Day Laborer Organizing Network said in a statement. "We expect he will do everything within his power to prevent the discrimination, punishment, and suffering that will escalate under SB 1070's implementation."

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(Photo: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)