During several national interviews promoting his new book, Mayor Randall Woodfin touted Birmingham’s unwillingness to work with federal law enforcement agencies, saying he had tied their hands to prevent local law enforcement from working with federal law enforcement on illegal immigrants caught in the city.
Telling Al Sharpton that the city's contract with the federal government includes an exception for what Woodfin described as, "[O]ur contract does not participate in any administrative dealings as it relates to immigration status, with DHS. We're very clear about that."
Now, this is being contradicted by Birmingham interim police chief Micheal Pickett, who just released a “7-Point Crime Reduction Strategy” that includes the City of Birmingham relying on the same federal partners Woodfin dismissed to help decrease crime.
The third point in the seven-point plan reads: “Strengthened Federal Partnerships: Led by Deputy Chief JaCorey Foster, this initiative will continue to work closely with our federal partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to secure more federal indictments, with ongoing support from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.”
The City of Birmingham’s homicide rate continues to rise this year, with 13 victims reported as of February 6. That’s three more than at the same time in 2024. Birmingham ended 2024 with 151 homicides, the highest number of killings in the city ever, breaking the record of 148 set in 1933.
Woodfin has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump as Trump’s second administration focuses on making communities around the nation safer by deporting violent criminals, specifically those wanted for murder, rape, child abuse, DUI and other violent crimes.
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie.fogel@1819news.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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