State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity) has already pre-filed legislation for 2025 that would bolster local law enforcement's ability to work with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws after fizzling out during the last legislative session.
The Laken Riley Act would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with the U.S. Department of Justice, Homeland Security and any other federal agency to enforce federal immigration and customs laws and the detention, removal and investigation of illegal aliens and the immigration status of any person in this state.
The bill's name comes from the February abduction and murder of Laken Riley, who was an undergraduate student at the Augusta University nursing school and a former student at the University of Georgia. The suspect in the case is a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, Jose Antonio Ibarra, from Venezuela, who police say abducted her while she was jogging on the UGA campus.
The legislature introduced and debated virtually identical legislation during the 2024 regular session. After months of back-and-forth and slowdown in a House subcommittee, the legislation passed the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. Despite clearing the committee, the bill never made it to the House floor for a vote.
Several Republican lawmakers who spoke to 1819 News expressed frustration and bewilderment at the bill's stalling during the last session. They described it as a common-sense solution to the Biden administration's ever-growing failure to secure the southern border.
Despite no movement in the 2024 session, Yarbrough has already pre-filed the bill for the 2025 legislative session, encompassing amendments offered in the 2024 session that concerned local law enforcement.
Pending a partnership with a federal agency, the bill would allow Alabama's local law enforcement to arrest any individual based on their status as an illegal alien or for a violation of any federal immigration law. It would also allow law enforcement to transfer a confirmed illegal alien to a federal detention center for processing and possible deportation.
Suspected illegal aliens can be held no longer than 48 hours pursuant to an immigration detainer or an immigration warrant while law enforcement inquiries about a person's immigration status.
If the jail staff does not receive an immigration warrant signed by a federal judge or magistrate within 48 hours, or if federal immigration officials do not take custody of the inmate within 48 hours, the inmate shall be eligible for release.
The bill would additionally:
· Require state and local government employees to maintain information relating to the immigration status of any individual.
· Allow state and local law enforcement officers to transport an illegal alien to the federal government's custody.
· Allow local law enforcement to arrest an illegal alien based on his or her status as an illegal alien or for violating any federal immigration law.
· Create standard procedures for the intake and booking of illegal aliens and foreign nationals in county and municipal jails.
· Require jails to honor immigration detainer requests issued by the Department of Homeland Security in certain circumstances.
· Require quarterly reports by county and municipal jails regarding foreign nationals.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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