In 2011, the new Republican-controlled legislature struck a major blow against illegal immigration in Alabama by passing the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act (HB 56).
However, after legal challenges and a reluctance by then-Attorney General Luther Strange to defend aspects of the law, the state backed away from enforcing the law.
Fresh from a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) says it may be time for the State of Alabama to revisit the law.
Elliott told Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show" that changes in the federal judiciary under former President Donald Trump could give the 2011 legislation a fighting chance in court.
“[I] think, look, there's much talk about, you know, the Beason-Hammon Act of 2011 and how that was, you know, that was, you know, put on ice by the federal courts, right? Well, we've got different federal courts. You know, we've got a different Supreme Court thanks to President Trump. And I think some of those things are worth looking at again.
I'm not opposed to looking at some of those restrictions yet again. Yes, the federal courts have ruled it unconstitutional, but that's fine. I think we need to look at seeing if we need to take another swing at that because nobody, nobody can argue that there hasn't been a change in the federal courts., and it's certainly the Supreme Court.”
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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