Thread: AL Dem Senator files bill to repeal Alabama immigration law

State Sen. Billy Beasley files bill to repeal Alabama immigration law

Published: Friday, October 07, 2011, 5:15 AM
By Kim Chandler -- The Birmingham News The Birmingham News


Alabama Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton

MONTGOMERY -- Alabama Sen. Billy Beasley has filed a bill to repeal Alabama's sweeping immigration law, saying it is causing severe workforce shortages and problems in state courthouses and schools.

"The people in the agriculture community are not happy with it because they can't get workers. The folks in the courthouses are not happy with it. The folks in the school business are not happy with it," said the Democrat from Clayton.

Beasley said three other Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors of the proposed repeal, and he hopes more legislators will support the measure.

"I think there is a large contingent of folks who didn't realize what it was going to do," Beasley said.

However, Sen. Scott Beason, who sponsored the immigration law in the Senate, said he will fight attempts to undo or weaken the law.

"I can't imagine that anyone would want to repeal the bill," said Beason, R-Gardendale.

Beasley voted against the bill when it was before Alabama lawmakers. He said the new law has caused a "world of fear" for people in the Hispanic community.

"It's kind of a mean-spirited law," Beasley said.

Beasley said the law has caused workforce shortages in many industries, as legal and illegal immigrants leave the state. He said it also is causing long lines at courthouse and is putting an unfunded mandate on county jails to hold suspected illegal immigrants.

The Clayton senator said he also was doubtful the law would open up jobs for Alabamians because many people don't want the labor-intensive jobs the immigrants are performing.

But Beason said he believes the law is working.

"It's doing what it is supposed to be doing overall," Beason said.

He said the immigration law appeared to be moving an illegal workforce out of the state, and an adjustment period is to be expected. He pointed out the law has been in effect only six days.

He said he believes getting rid of illegal workers will create jobs for Alabamians. "Apparently a lot of people were working an illegal workforce," Beason said.

He added that legal immigrants have nothing to fear.

"If you are in the state illegally, you are going to have problems," Beason said.

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/10/sta ... files.html

Contact Senator "Billy" Beasley!

Montgomery, Alabama 36130
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/sena ... sd028.html

http://www.facebook.com/people/Billy-Be ... 64?sk=wall

Pink slip for Billy Boy!

I have yet to understand why the farmers don't apply for work visas for the immigrants like my grandfather ust to do. Him and the neighboors would buy them a bus ticket and apply through the dept of agriculture for temporary work visas and when they were done they would go back home on the bus. What is so hard about that?
They must think it is better to have them live here on social services and collect government benefits for the rest of their lives. So we all get to pay for their cheap labor. Then whine about the inconvience.

Sent on facebook : You want to repeal a law that protects the Interests of AMERICAN CITIZENS ?? Why don't you spend a couple weeks In downtown Los Angeles California to see the destruction that Illegal Immigration has caused JUST IN THAT ONE CITY ALONE !! What don't you understand about "Illegal" ?? Farmers can hire through the Feds visa program,but since they are addicted to low skilled cheap labor with no strings attached,they feel It Is their "right" to exploit our LEGAL IMMIGRATION system. I pray that you are voted out of office ASAP .... Illegal Immigration Is destroying this nation,and you are a contributor to It's destruction .... Regretfully, ....

They are getting more people to offer to pick than they can find transportation for. Looks like they needed the jobs......

Alabama immigration law: Farmers get new help for harvest
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-252082.html