A local businessman and “proud Haitian American” in Albertville is calling for unity and change after a recent controversy over Pilgrim’s Pride busing workers to and from its Russellville plant divided the community.
A 2017 graduate and track star of Albertville High School, Jeff Lamour was brought to America as a young child and later attained full citizenship. He said he’s received hundreds of phone calls from people in the community, political leaders and civil rights groups asking for his input on the division in his city.
“I have been fortunate to be part of this great community of Albertville, and I recognize that many of us are concerned about recent events and the divisiveness we are experiencing,” Lamour said in a statement on Facebook.
Lamour told 1819 News that he’s seen the negative backlash to the buses that many residents were concerned were bringing in migrants, legal or illegal, to the area. As a self-described Christian conservative who “bleeds red, white and blue,” Lamour said he loves America and was hurt by the reactions, adding that now was the time for the community to come together and change.
On Monday, State Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville) also condemned the “racist and hateful” responses to the bus controversy. He said many people were concerned the buses were bringing in migrants, legal or illegal, to the area, as has been reported in other states. However, as 1819 News previously reported, he confirmed the buses were being used to transport employees and that Pilgrim’s has since decided to stop the rideshare program.
Immigration in Albertville, Colvin’s hometown, has been on the rise since the early 2000s, and he said he’s noticed an uptick of migrants in the area, particularly Haitians who can legally claim refugee status.
Lamour said the Haitian population has grown as people seek higher-paying jobs at the area's chicken factories.
“There’s good and bad in each community. Now, I’m not justifying the bad ones. There are bad Haitians here; there are good Haitians here. There are illegal Haitians here, and I’m strongly not for illegal immigration,” he said. “The reason is because they’re not properly vetted to get in the country… They need to be able to come here the right way, the legal way, but don’t attack the [Haitian Americans] here. Don’t attack them. Don’t attack the black community here. Kids are being bullied at school because they are Haitian… It’s frustrating.”
Lamour started a group called “Us as One,” consisting of local pastors and other community leaders who will "meet with local government officials to discuss pressing issues affecting communities across Marshall County.”
He said he’s tried to be active in the community and with local political groups before but often felt unwelcome due to his appearance.
“When I go to the conservative meetings, they make me feel like I’m going to steal something. They feel so uncomfortable around me, a person of color,” he said. “You know, I’m conservative. I hate those policies that’s hurting our cities, that’s turning our city into a sanctuary city. But when I go up there, I go up there because you guys have the same beliefs as me… Everybody should have a place in the Republican Party.”
Lamour said he wants his community to be a safe place for his first-generation American son to grow up in.
“A change has to come. People, we are Americans. We are Americans. No American should feel unsafe at their home,” he said. “… It’s young people like us that can change our future because these boomers, they’re going away. We need to make our future a safe place, a loving place for our children.”
Both Colvin and Lamour said they plan to hold meetings soon to discuss immigration issues and unite the community.
To connect with the story's author or comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com or find him on X and Facebook.
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