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.
The governor's office denied claims that Haitian immigrants were brought to Sylacauga for employment legally and said they have not received communication from the federal government.
State Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga) found out about an influx of Haitian migrants in Sylacauga through the general public, the same way everyone else did. He is demanding answers from the federal government and says the lack of information is causing discourse throughout the community.