Riverside Township faces a legal battle from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over its law to curb hiring illegal immigrants.

The township passed an ordinance, despite protests, that punishes employers who hire undocumented workers by taking away their business license. Lawyers representing the township argue while federal law says municipalities cannot make it a crime to hire illegal aliens, cities can enforce sanctions.

The ACLU, Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, People For the American Way and other groups counter Riverside has no authority to regulate immigration. The ACLU filed a lawsuit arguing municipalities can only create laws that are afforded to them by state law.