MONTGOMERY — On the final day of the legislative session before a one-week break, the Alabama House of Representatives advanced three of five proposed measures to bolster illegal immigration enforcement and reduce abuse of legal immigration in the state.
The House addressed several controversial subjects, including police immunity, the state veterans board restructuring and lawmakers' efforts to reduce the adverse effects of legal and illegal immigration.
SEE: House passes several public safety bills after hours of Democratic protest
House leadership announced a five-bill package aimed at illegal immigration last month as a tandem effort with the Trump administration and in response to the controversy last year over Haitian migrants in Alabama on the Biden administration's controversial Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) Parole Program, initiated in January 2023.
The program allowed specific migrants to enter the country and work under the care of a so-called sponsor. During the CHNV debate, critics accused both the sponsors and the labor brokers that employ the parolees of taking advantage of the migrant workers. Specifically, the typically anonymous sponsors were accused of sponsoring multiple migrants, pocketing federal support funds while leaving the migrants in the lurch.
First up on the immigration front was House Bill 302 (HB302) by State Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga), whose hometown was one of the centers of the CHNV debate. The bill would regulate labor brokers recruiting foreign workers to Alabama by requiring registration with the Department of Workforce, mandatory use of E-Verify and compliance with sponsorship reporting requirements. The Secretary of Workforce and Attorney General would have enforcement authority to impose fines and penalties and potentially revoke business licenses for noncompliance. Employers would also be required to disclose the immigration details of foreign workers and sponsors of lawful aliens would be held financially liable for unfulfilled support obligations.
Surprisingly, Robbins's bill received no vocal pushback from Democratic lawmakers and passed with a vote of 80-0 with 19 abstentions, all coming from House Democrats.
Next up was House Bill 304 (HB304) by State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), which would authorize the impoundment of vehicles operated unlawfully by individuals without a valid driver's license. The bill also restricts local governments from issuing identification cards, which illegal aliens could otherwise use to circumvent state laws.
The bill also stipulates that law enforcement shall make a "reasonable effort" to verify the immigration or citizenship status of anyone whose vehicle is impounded by federal authorities.
It is ultimately at the officer's discretion if they decide to impound a vehicle. However, it cannot be impounded within 180 days of an expired license if another licensed driver is also in the vehicle or if a valid medical emergency exists. Any impounded vehicle can be recovered. If an impounded vehicle is not retrieved within 60 days, it will be sold or destroyed.
While mostly Democratic lawmakers spoke against the bill, State Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley) also opposed it, saying it would have negative impacts beyond its desired goal, causing lawful residents and drivers to lose their vehicles.
"The bottom line is, all we're going to do is, these vehicles are going to get impounded," Wadsworth said. "Once they're impounded, they're going to get sold. People are going to lose their ability to drive. They're going to lose their job. They won't be able to take their vehicle and go to work. And I think we're hurting the citizens by adding all these fees and costs. Because right now, if you impound a vehicle, you have to pay a tow fee and you have to pay the other fees of impoundment, and I'm opposed to that."
He continued, "They're already going to be paying a fine and cost by driving the vehicle. However, when we take their car away, they're going to lose the ability to work."
Robbins spoke after Wadsworth, giving it a full endorsement.
"[T]his is about public safety and making sure our roadways do not have people with no license or no knowledge of our laws driving in the state," Robbins said.
The bill passed 72-14, with 16 abstentions. Wadsworth was the only Republican who did not cast a vote in favor.
Finally, the House took on House Bill 3 (HB3) by State Rep. Chip Brown (R- Hollinger's Island) to mandate enhanced sentencing for illegal aliens convicted of felonies against minors. It also upgrades misdemeanor offenses against minors to Class C felonies.
While not actively opposing the bill, some Democrats bemoaned the perceived targeting of one category of people by imposing specific penalties on that one group.
"I'm just wondering, what is it that made us say, 'we're going to heighten the penalty for crimes, but other people can do the exact same crime and not get the same time for it?' Like, how is that even fair?" asked State Rep. Napoleon Bracy (D-Prichard).
"The biggest difference is that they've already committed a crime when they come into the state of Alabama because they entered the country illegally," Brown responded. "So, they already have one strike against them."
Bracy reiterated his general concerns with the bill: "Whether you're here legally or illegally, The punishment should fit the crime, not the person."
Despite the minor pushback, the bill cleared the floor with a final vote of 76-3 with 24 abstentions.
All three bills will now go to the Senate for deliberation.
The remaining bills on the House's illegal immigration package are still due for committee votes before going to the House floor.
House Bill 298 (HB298), introduced by new House Majority Whip Brock Colvin (R-Albertville), would exclude certain English language learner students from a public school's average daily membership when determining athletic competition classification.
House Bill 297 (HB297) by State Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope) would impose a 4% wire transfer fee on international money transfers from Alabama. A portion of the revenue generated by this fee would go to county sheriffs, who are now housing ICE detainees in jails, and ELL programs in public schools. Alabama residents would be eligible for a tax credit to offset the transfer fees.
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