Associated Press - February 5, 2010 3:35 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - An appeals court ruling on an Oklahoma law could help groups trying to overturn an Arizona law that prohibits employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

A lawyer representing business groups said Friday that the ruling on Oklahoma's law differs from another court's ruling on Arizona's law.

Attorney David Selden says the differing rulings could make the U.S. Supreme Court more likely to step in and create a uniform interpretation.

A federal district court and the 9th Circuit appeals court have upheld Arizona's law suspending or revoking the operating licenses of businesses caught knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

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