Friday, during this week's broadcast of Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal," State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), the presumptive incoming president pro-tem of the State Senate, said he expected the Alabama Legislature to move on its own immigration enforcement law during the upcoming legislative session.
The Cullman County Republican lawmaker told host Todd Stacy that he hoped to avoid the pitfalls of the 2011 Beason-Hammon Act (HB56) and stressed an obligation to protect the citizens of the state.
"I think we have to, and I think we have to work with the federal government to make sure that we don't overstep or duplicate services that they've already put in place," he said. "Our job is to make sure what is best for Alabama, and as we say, all states are a border state now because it's been so long and so many people have crossed the border. Obviously, there are throughout the state of Alabama. How do we protect the citizens of Alabama?
Gudger added, "How do we make sure that the right people are here and that the nonviolent criminals are still here? Obviously, we want the right people that have went through the immigration process and got their work visas or green cards to be able to stay here. That's not what we're talking about. We're talking about illegal immigration. And so from that, I think you're going to see reform for the right purposes and to make sure that we take care of the right people getting out of our state to help protect the citizens of Alabama."
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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