FAIRHOPE — Although the prospects for a possible Donald Trump return to the Oval Office are on the upswing, some state lawmakers are considering the possibility of Kamala Harris assuming the presidency and continuing Biden-era immigration policies.
Last month, State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) raised the possibility of revisiting the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act (HB 56).
Ultimately, the federal 11th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down most of that law. However, according to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the current circumstances may offer Alabama additional legal arguments to resume parts of that law.
During remarks at an immigration town hall meeting held at the Fairhope First Baptist Church, Marshall discussed the possibility.
"Now, I do think we are in a little bit different time than we were in 2012 because we've seen an absolute abdication of the federal government doing the job around immigration despite protestations to the contrary," he said. "We don't need a new bill to enforce the laws that are on the books. Kamala [Harris] can say that all she wants. The laws are there to be able to be used. But again, as a result of executive orders and this administration and its policies, they've gone far-field from what Congress wanted."
"But I do think to the extent Alabama takes steps, part of our legal argument is going to have to be to the courts — we understand while you have to respect the role and the responsibility of the federal government around immigration if they just simply throw up their hands and fail to do their jobs, then by golly the states ought to have the opportunity to enforce it there," Marshall continued. "So, we'll see where that goes."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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