FAIRHOPE — District 1 Baldwin County commissioner Jeb Ball is working on a resolution to address an influx of migrants in the county.
Ball said the resolution will request assistance from the State to protect the quality of life for citizens.
“I see it as a very important thing to protect that,” Ball said. “That's a quality of life. I've kind of narrowed down a few things that entails with us and that's public safety, our education and our health care systems that we have here, which, when this influx happens, causes a drain on all of these systems.”
“Hopefully, when we get this resolution prepared and then unanimously vote to send it to the state, we will start getting some attention and some traction on this from a more of a state level and see what we can do," he added.
While immigration is a federal issue, Ball said he believes that the State can take things into its own hands.
The resolution is expected to be discussed at the next commission meeting.
Commission chairman Billie Jo Underwood said Baldwin County students and teachers are being impacted by an influx of non-English-speaking students. While she is hearing from concerned citizens, Underwood pointed out that the commission has no authority over the Baldwin County Board of Education.
District 2 commissioner Matt McKenzie said there could be improvements among law enforcement in the county. However, he said often local authorities are unable to act because they do not have federal authority.
“Once we get a new president, the administration will change, and it will be where law enforcement will have a better working with the federal government,” McKenzie said.
Meanwhile, Fairhope City Councilman Corey Martin signed a letter to President Joe Biden asking for assistance to resettle refugees from other countries. The letter claimed that the signees had heard from locals who wanted refugees to be welcomed into their communities.
The signees committed to investing in infrastructure and public services for refugees. While Underwood said she supports anyone coming to the United States legally, she hopes those in charge of federal programs consider infrastructure and jobs currently available.
“If you want to come to this country and come in the immigration process the right way, but to bring in people in dump them out with no jobs, no amenities, or anything like that, I don't think any community is ready to stand up for that,” Underwood said.
She said that as far as law enforcement is concerned, the Baldwin County Corrections Facility is expanding, and there is no risk of being overcapacity due to an influx of population.
Martin refused to provide a statement on the signing of the letter, but he told 1819 News he signed it a year ago after learning of increased gang activity in other places.
The next Baldwin County Commission meeting will be October 1 at the Baldwin County Administration Building in Bay Minette.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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