As President Donald Trump continues to make good on his promise to address illegal immigration, the state legislature is looking to start a crackdown of its own.
The State House of Representatives and Senate recently dropped a series of bills meant to fight illegal immigration and the pervading issues that follow. While some of the House bills touch on similar themes as the Senate, the newest package contains several novel provisions designed to crack down on illegal immigration and reduce abuse in legal immigration.
"The previous presidential administration's open border policies have been absolutely disastrous for the state of Alabama," said House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville). "Our school systems' ELL [English language learners] programs have been pushed to the brink, housing in rural and urban communities has become even more challenging, and local governments have been forced to support people who are either here illegally or protected under politically motivated asylum statuses. While President Trump has made great progress in securing the Southern Border, it is important that we take action to secure Alabama's border."
First up is State Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga). Sylacauga was the center of drama last year surrounding specifically Haitian migrants in the United States 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.
Robbins' House Bill 302 (HB302) 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.
"This bill protects Alabamians hard earned tax dollars by making legal immigrants pay taxes, preventing immigrants from taking benefits they do not deserve, and holding sponsors fiscally responsible," Robbins said. "We are putting an end to circumventing the system. Alabama will have the most protected workforce in America, and we will take a hard stand against shadowy figures trafficking humans into Alabama to exploit cheap labor."
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.
"These individuals often come to our state to work in various jobs, some of which are not subject to state income tax," Fidler said. "Many send their earnings out of the country and, in some cases, to the cartels that facilitated their crossing. HB297's primary objective is to support communities that have been burdened by this immigrant influx. It does this by ensuring that 2.5% of the wire transfer fee comes back to the county where the wire transfer originated. This helps pay for educating English Language Learners and health needs that affected communities are now absorbing."
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.
"This bill is designed to protect student-athletes in communities like Albertville, Boaz, Russellville and many others that have had to move to higher athletic classifications due to a significant influx of immigrants," Colvin said. "By ensuring clear regulations and a level playing field, this legislation will restore both safety and fairness to high school sports, preserving the integrity of competition for all athletes."
House Bill 3 (HB3) by State Rep. Chip Brown (R- Hollinger's Island) would mandate enhanced sentencing for illegal aliens convicted of felonies against minors. It also upgrades misdemeanor offenses against minors to Class C felonies.
"As lawmakers, protecting children must always be our top priority, and this legislation ensures that those who prey on minors face the full force of the law," Brown said. "By imposing stronger penalties on illegal immigrants who commit these crimes, we are making it clear that Alabama will not be a safe haven for lawbreakers. We will enforce a zero-tolerance policy and use every tool at our disposal to ensure that those who come here illegally and harm our children face the harshest consequences possible."
House Bill 304 (HB304) by State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) 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.
"This bill is about enforcing the law and ensuring roads, highways and interstates across Alabama are safe," Kiel said. "If someone is in our state illegally and operating a vehicle without a valid driver's license, they pose a significant risk to everyone on the road. By impounding unlawfully operated vehicles and restricting local governments from issuing IDs that could be misused, we are making Alabama a safer place for its citizens."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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