You may have seen headlines or heard about Alabama’s new draconian immigration law on the news. We’ve addressed the new law in several of our blog articles. Alabama’s immigration law makes the news again because a court has blocked enforcement of two significant parts of the law. The United States Justice Department continues to fight the law in court.
The New York Times reports, “The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit issued a preliminary injunction against a section of the law that requires schools to determine the immigration status of children who are enrolling, as well as the status of their parents. It also blocked a section making it a state crime for illegal immigrants not to carry registration documents.”
Alabama and other states such as Arizona, Georgia, Utah, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia have struggled with immigration laws because Congress has, thus far, failed to pass a workable immigration law. Most state laws are directed at making life difficult with illegal immigrants; but, they often backfire.
For example, as predicted, there has been an exodus of workers from Alabama; and, also as predicted, American workers have not stepped up in their place; food is rotting in the fields. This has happened in state after state. What will happen to food prices? Unfortunately, state lawmakers, feeling the pressure from constitutes and having no good answers, pass laws that enforce an already broken immigration system, instead of developing an immigration system that works. But, as in Alabama, jails are full; what are the police to do with everyone they arrest?
CNN reports, “And in Utah, politicians, business leaders, law enforcement and faith groups came together to enact legislation that went beyond enforcement only.” Though still controversial on implementation details, Utah is developing a state guest worker system which provides that legal immigrants can be hired when there are not enough American workers to fill the job. Illegal immigrant workers are replaced under this system.
Where to Get Help with Immigration Issues
We focus our practice on immigration law, current immigration policies, and helping people just like you, every day. We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.
Your next step is to contact our office: 513-791-1673;or Thomasjr@geygan.com. We will gently walk you through your immigration issues, guiding you and your family, and even aggressively representing you in court and before the Department of State, as needed.