A federal appeals court has declined a request by the state of Georgia to reconsider a ruling on the state's tough law targeting illegal immigration.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday issued an order denying the state's petition for a full court hearing.

A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit in August left in place a lower court injunction that blocks part of Georgia's law making it illegal for someone to knowingly harbor or transport an illegal immigrant during the commission of a crime. The state argued the panel's decision goes against certain 11th Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

The Georgia attorney general's office did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment Monday evening.

Tags: 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, immigration reform, illegal immigration law, Georgia Immigration law, federal injunction