A new bill introduced by Representative Ernie Yarbrough seeks to enhance collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and federal agents in apprehending individuals who are residing in the country without legal documentation.
The “Laken Riley Act” bill was introduced as a way to address the issue of illegal immigration.
“Once passed, this new law will hold anyone accountable for violating it,” explained Immigration Attorney Keith Cornett.
According to Cornett, the police are currently unable to arrest someone solely based on their immigration status. However, he suggests that this may change in the future.
According to Cornett, individuals who drive without a license can be arrested for both driving without a license and for being undocumented immigrants. He points out that the State of Alabama has limited jurisdiction in dealing with the issue, as federal law stipulates that unlawfully entering the United States is a criminal offense.
According to Immigration Attorney Jeremy Love, there are concerns about profiling arising from this new bill.
“I can speak Spanish, so do I need to be concerned about speaking it in public?” Love questioned. “It’s unfortunate because it creates an opportunity for people to feel anxious and afraid of being targeted based on their appearance or the way they communicate.”
Love expressed his concern about potential issues that could arise for local communities due to the bill.
According to Love, enforcing immigration laws is not within the scope of police training. He asserts that understanding the complex and ever-changing immigration framework requires substantial time and effort. Additionally, Love believes that diverting police resources to immigration enforcement detracts from their primary goal of ensuring community safety.
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