In Montgomery, Alabama, state legislators moved a bill forward on Thursday designed to permit local law enforcement personnel to take an active role in enforcing immigration laws. This move aligns with conservative efforts to parallel the federal government’s stricter stance on immigration.
The proposed legislation is referred to as the “Laken Riley Act,” named in memory of a Georgia-based Augusta University student, Laken Riley, who tragically lost her life last year at the hands of an undocumented immigrant. Earlier in January, a similar federal statute was signed by President Donald Trump, mandating the detention of unauthorized immigrants linked to theft and violent offenses.
Should it be enacted, this Alabama bill will authorize local and state police forces to collaborate with federal entities in enforcing national immigration laws. Republican Representative Ernie Yarbrough, who is sponsoring the bill, views it as “a practical, grassroots measure to reinforce existing regulations already in place within our communities.”
However, the bill has been met with rapid opposition from the Democratic minority in the House of Representatives. Representative Chris England expressed concerns that it would lead to an increase in profiling, suggesting that nonwhite, English-non-speaking individuals might be targeted disproportionately.
Emphasizing constitutional principles, England stated, “The constitution cannot be applied selectively or conveniently; principles must be upheld consistently, even when they present challenges or are inconvenient.”
Yarbrough dismissed allegations of potential racial profiling, highlighting bill amendments mandating the checking of immigration status, rather than nationality, upon someone’s arrest.
“The core intent of this bill isn’t to demonize immigrants—it’s to ensure the safety of Alabama’s citizens,” Yarbrough asserted. Yet, his reassurances haven’t quelled all critique.
Certain Democratic lawmakers voiced that the legislation might reduce community safety, arguing it could deter immigrants from reporting crimes. Representative Neil Rafferty criticized the bill for exploiting Laken Riley’s memory, noting it likely wouldn’t have prevented her untimely demise, and pushed back against transforming local police into “quasi-immigration agents” as it might impair their efficacy in combating crime.