Sylacauga Mayor Jim Heigl apologized Monday for the confusion caused by statements he made following a council meeting Thursday.
The meeting ended abruptly after residents expressed concerns over a recent influx of Haitian migrants during public comment.
Earlier in the week, Heigl sent a press release stating the Haitians were in town legally and for work. When asked by 1819 News who told him they were here legally, he said an aide from Gov. Kay Ivey's office, along with U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), told him that.
"What senators in Washington told you that they [the Haitians] were here legally," 1819 News asked.
"It came out from the governor's office and also came from Mike Rogers' office, Katie Britt's office, and Tuberville."
"And that was in letter form?" 1819 News asked.
"I just heard that they were legal aliens," Heigl said.
"From Britt, Tuberville and all of them?" 1819 News asked.
"Well, I contacted them and asked why, and I got the same answer: They're here doing contract labor," Heigl answered. I don't know where they came from either; that's all I know."
"And then Gov. Ivey's office told you that, too?" 1819 News asked.
"That's what, I didn't talk to the governor; that's what her aide told me," Heigl replied.
Ivey's office denied any communication with the mayor over the issue.
Monday, Heigl said communications have been in person or on the phone, and he has no proof of those conversations.
"If my previous statements indicated that there was a confirmation of legal status from those individuals, I apologize for the confusion," said Heigl. "I simply meant that the federally authorized work visas were provided, not that state or federal officials themselves confirmed these specific individuals."
Heigl did not say who provided "federally authorized work visas,” and he told 1819 News last Thursday that he has never met any of the migrants.
"I haven't met any of them," he told 1819 News. "My schedule is such as it is, I haven't really had too much time."
"During my conversations with the Governor's office and other state legislators and officials, none ever confirmed specific knowledge regarding immigrants in Sylacauga," he said in a statement to 1819 News Monday. "Conversations with officials on the federal level acknowledged and explained a process over the last few years of immigrants who have been granted temporary work visas while processing asylum applications."
"Federal levels did not confirm knowledge of the specific group of immigrants allegedly being 'sent' nor moving of their own choice to Sylacauga," he continued. "All of these communications have been in-person meetings or phone conversations which would not provide the proof you requested."
Heigl said his office is investigating citizen reports, but he said most of the claims they are hearing have been unfounded.
"There are high levels of speculation and conjecture rampant regarding this issue; however, to date that is all that it is," he said.
Heigl stated that one example of a claim without proof is that buses dropped off the migrants in Sylacauga. He said one bus carrying a school band was misrepresented as a bus full of migrants.
The city does not plan to hold a special meeting on the issue. Heigl asks residents to report any suspicious activity or crimes, regardless of who is involved. Further, he said employers must carefully vet employees to verify their identification and status.
"As employers are doing these due diligence processes, any individual who is not legally authorized to work will be flagged, prevented from employment, and required to answer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers," he said. "Authorization to work and reside in this great country, no matter the area, comes from the federal government."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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