Several Alabama state legislators, fresh off a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border last week, say they’re working on legislation or a possible package of anti-illegal immigration bills for the 2025 session.
While not ready to discuss specific details, several lawmakers told Alabama Daily News they want to target those who bring or profit off of immigrants from Central and South America and make it harder to be in Alabama without proper documentation.
Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, said one option is to further crackdown on human trafficking.
‘Humanitarian issue’
“There is a humanitarian issue here,” Colvin said. “Many of these immigrants are being exploited.”
Lawmakers acknowledge that immigration policy is largely a federal issue and blame the current administration for the situation. But several said they’d like to make it harder to bring immigrants illegally to the state.
“Republican legislators and a Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas have adopted state law and empowered law enforcement to enforce the laws in Texas and that has greatly reduced the flow of illegals across the border in that state,” Kiel told ADN. “We met with Texas DPS agents about these policies and what might be applicable in Alabama.”
In 2011, the legislature passed a massive anti-illegal immigration bill, which was called the toughest in the country. Much of it was overturned by federal courts.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Mary Sell and originally published by Alabama Daily News. It is reprinted with permission.
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