1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

As your constituent, I am writing to ask you to vote "No" on SB 53 by Sen. Wes Kitchens. This bill would create an unfunded financial burden on localities and cost Alabama taxpayers money to defend in federal court. It also would increase racial profiling and undermine community trust with law enforcement. Immigration enforcement should be a federal task, not a state one. Jail administrators do not have the training to accurately assess whether someone is here lawfully, leading to potential overreach and illegal detentions of legal immigrants. The bill does not require interpreters during such inquiries, adding to confusion. Many faith-based organizations provide humanitarian support to unaccompanied migrant children seeking to reunite with families in Alabama, and this proposal could criminalize these actions. In 2011, a similar law devastated immigrant families, communities, employers and entire industries in our state. Let's not repeat that costly mistake. Please oppose this unnecessary and harmful bill and vote NO on SB 53.