Alabama state lawmakers introduce bills targeting illegal immigration
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - As the Trump administration gets tough on illegal immigration -- the State of Alabama is following suit. There are a number bills targeting illegal immigration this legislative session.
It comes as raids by ICE and the FBI are being conducted across the country. FOX 10 News received new video from a viewer in Jubilee Farms subdivsion in Daphne of agents conducting a raid where new homes were being built. More than two dozen undocumented workers were detained in raids in Daphne and Spanish Fort.
As the Alabama Legislative Session is now more than two weeks in -- lawmakers too are filing legislation targeting illegal immigration.
Some of the latest proposed bills filed includes: House Bill 297 by Representative Jennifer Fidler, (R--Fairhope, District 94). The bill would impose a 4% wire transfer fee on international money transfers originating from Alabama. A portion of the revenue generated would go to county sheriffs -- who are now housing ICE detainees in jails and English Language Learner programs in public schools. Alabama residents would be able to receive a tax credit to offset the transfer fees.
“Alabama has experienced an unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants over the past four years,” said Rep. Fidler.” These individuals often come to our state to work in various jobs, some of which are not subject to state income tax. Many send their earnings out of the country and, in some cases, to the cartels that facilitated their crossing. HB297’s primary objective is to support communities that have been burdened by this immigrant influx. It does this by ensuring that 2.5% of the wire transfer fee comes back to the county where the wire transfer originated. This helps pay for educating English Language Learners and health needs that affected communities are now absorbing. The other 1.5% will help pay for law enforcement’s deportation process of illegal immigrants. HB297 has a sunset so that the legislative body can ensure that funding is aiding affected areas in the future. HB297 ensures that international wire transfers are subject to a fee comparable to the tax level of every other law-abiding citizen.”
House Bill 3 -- by Representative Chip Brown (R--Hollinger’s Island, District 105) -- would mandate enhanced sentencing for illegal aliens convicted of felonies against minors and upgrades misdemeanor offenses against minors to Class C felonies.
“As lawmakers, protecting children must always be our top priority, and this legislation ensures that those who prey on minors face the full force of the law,” said Rep. Brown. “By imposing stronger penalties on illegal immigrants who commit these crimes, we are making it clear that Alabama will not be a safe haven for lawbreakers. We will enforce a zero-tolerance policy and use every tool at our disposal to ensure that those who come here illegally and harm our children face the harshest consequences possible.”
Other bills -- are aimed at keeping those who hire undocumented workers in-check -- as well as how an influx of illegal immigrant students can directly impact a school’s athletic classification.
Alabama’s Legislative Session still has nearly three months to go -- and adjourns May 15th.
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