Albertville mayor hopeful of outcome of immigration arguments

ALBERTVILLE, AL
02/28/2012

- Area leaders are already wondering the outcome of arguments expected later this week in federal court on Alabama's immigration law.

Albertville Mayor Lindsey Lyons said he would like to see all of the law as enforceable, especially the provisions that include law enforcement.

But he also knows it will be the local and state government that must bear the burden.

Attorneys from Alabama and the federal government are due in Atlanta to present arguments to a three judge panel on Thursday.
Opponents hope to stop part of the law that requires officers to verify citizenship while also seeking to stop parts that would require people to carry proof of citizenship.

Mayor Lyons hopes all of the law will be preserved, especially the law enforcement part.

Lyons believes those tools will allow local officers to mirror the same enforcement powers as federal authorities, but he also believes the federal government will not house illegals for un-arrestable offenses and local jurisdictions should be prepared for that.

"If this is upheld and they follow the rule of law like they should, well, sure it's going to have an impact on the inmate population in a lot of jails here in Alabama. But you know, that's just part of the equation and by all rights we should just be doing our job. And if that's part of the job then we're just going to have to do it," said Lyons.

But Mayor Lyons says another major tool in curbing illegal im
migration hasn't even started, and that's cutting off the money to illegals.

He says that starts April 1st when e-Verify is required for employment in the state.

WAFF.com