U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) spoke to reporters on Thursday about the possibility of local mayors and police departments in Alabama refusing to work with federal agencies conducting immigration enforcement operations.
Tuberville, who is expected to become Alabama's next governor, firmly rejected the notion that municipal officials have the authority to disregard and impede federal agencies.
"Let me be clear on this. We are not going to fight our law enforcement officers. I don't care whether it's state, local or federal," said Tuberville. "We are going to have law and order in the state of Alabama and across this country. That's President Trump's number one goal is to make it safe in this country again, and we're not safe in a lot of areas."
The lawmaker then referenced Irondale Mayor and James Stewart, Jr., who recently pledged to block Irondale PD from assisting with local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Stewart also said he would host training for citizens to learn how to stalk and obstruct federal agents.
"I know the Irondale mayor, I don't know where he's coming from on this. Like it or not, Federal law says that people who are here illegally should be deported," continued Tuberville. "That's pretty simple. So if people in our state, like the mayor of Irondale, want to fight against the federal government, he needs to understand that I am not on his side. He's dead wrong. You're breaking the law when you do that."
Tuberville noted American taxpayers are footing the bill for millions of illegal aliens who reside in "sanctuary cities."
"We're not going to bring in illegals to be hidden in our cities and neighborhoods," Tuberville stated. "We are going to crack down on crime, and that's where it all starts. We're not going to bankrupt our state, because when you bring these people in, you have to pay for their bills. They can't afford it because most of them are hiding out. And we're not going to do that. We're going to support the people and the citizens of the state of Alabama, that's where it starts."
He added, "If we can't do that, then we're not a state, and we're not a country."
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