Last week, a US district judge in Alabama ruled on HB56, the anti-immigrant measure that allows police to detain anyone without documentation, and forces public schools to confirm every student’s immigration status.
The effects have been both immediate and devastating: schools across the state are already reporting many Hispanic children absent, for fear of their families’ undocumented statuses being discovered. Crops are rotting in the fields because of the sudden shortage of migrant workers. One local framer warned, “There won’t be no next growing season.”
The Center for American Progress compiled comments from business leaders, academics, legal experts and Alabamians on HB56. One of the most powerful responses came from Professor Silvia Giagnoni of Auburn University at Montgomery, who said:
“It is sadly ironic that the same day a federal judge upholds major sections of the Alabama immigration law — the most restrictive in the nation — the state also receives an ‘A’ on its educational work in teaching civil rights history. It’s ironic because this comes at a time when the most retrogressive forces in Alabama claim a victory, although it is unclear to me against whom.”
Congress’ decision not to act on the federal level and pass comprehensive immigration reform means that states like Arizona, Georgia, Indiana and Alabama can now legislate discrimination — and other states could soon follow their precedent. This moment must be used as a wake-up call for the entire country to rededicate ourselves to passing national reform. Keep checking the blog as we write more on how our movement is taking action.
UPDATE: A federal judge refused to block the law Wednesday afternoon. We will continue to update as more news comes in.
Categories: alabama, detention, enforcement, immigrant rights
Tags: immigration law, racial profiling
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