Count on immigration to be an issue in next Alabama legislative session
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Eye on Politics
Paul DeMarco
The headlines surrounding the hundreds of Haitian migrants showing up in Alabama continues, and communities around the state are up in arms. From Athens, to Albertville, to Sylacauga and now in Coffee County, Alabama citizens are not getting any answers on where, who and why the migrants are showing up in their cities.
The concerns regarding public safety, health, education, and housing infrastructure have been raised in Alabama and across the nation because of the policies that have created this crisis. In addition, citizens are carrying the burden of government benefits being paid to these migrants.
Residents of Sylacauga questioned city leaders in one meeting on the influx of Haitians to their city, but got few answers. Before citizens were even done with their inquiries on what was happening in their city, the meeting was quickly adjourned by the city council, leaving residents frustrated by the refusal for these issues to be addressed.
The frustration by citizens in Sylacauga has been shared by other Alabamians, where no one will get to the bottom of how the migrants are arriving in their cities and why leaders cannot give any answers, or in some cases even appear to care. Citizens deserve answers now on what is going on and who is behind bringing the migrants to the state. These smaller cities and towns do not have the infrastructure in place to accept the migrants whether illegal or given refugee status by the Biden administration.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was not made aware of the migrants being brought to the state, which raises the question on who is behind these efforts. And while these problems were created in Washington, D.C., Alabama leaders need to do their part to protect state residents sooner rather than later. Gov. Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall and state lawmakers need to quickly move to protect communities from the overwhelming number of migrants creating issues in their cities. Going after companies or organizations involved in human trafficking or profiting on the moving of these migrants into the state may require state representatives and senators to act.
If so, Ivey and legislators should not hesitate to prepare to address these issues in the next legislative session to protect Alabama citizens.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X, formerly Twitter, at @Paul_DeMarco.