Thread: Local Immigrants React To Alabama's New Law On Immigration

Local Immigrants React To Alabama's New Law On Immigration

Migrants Say They're Concerned As Some Plan To Leave State

Nick Banaszak

WHNT News 19 Reporter

9:47 p.m. CDT, June 12, 2011
HUNTSVILLE, AL—

The ink is barely dry, but Alabama's new immigration law may already be making an impact.

WHNT News 19 talked to several local immigrants from Mexico on Sunday, with some of them already making plans to leave town because of it. A few admitted to crossing the border illegally, and said going back home will likely be their next move due to the new law and a slumping economy.


"Right now people hear the news, they're leaving for Mexico," said Mexican native Leo Martinez. Martinez said he was working in America on a visa, but that many of his friends and workers were not.

Alabama's landmark immigration law is considered by supporters and critics alike to be the toughest of its kind in the entire nation. It allows local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants on sight, provided they are pulled over or detained for a separate violation and are then unable to verify their citizenship. The law also requires businesses and schools to verify that workers and students are legal citizens.

"I think it will scare a lot of parents, you know what I mean," said Martinez. When asked if he thought migrants were breaking the law by entering the country illegally, he gave a mixed response. "Yeah they are, but you know what I mean, there's nothing to do right now because the economy is rough."

Another immigrant who admitted he entered the country illegally told WHNT News 19 that he would possibly leave Alabama soon.

"I think that it's not good for us," said Pedro Cruz, who confirmed his status as a non-citizen. "We only want to work, we came here to work. We may have to go somewhere else to work."

www.whnt.com

WHNT News 19 talked to several local immigrants from Mexico on Sunday, with some of them already making plans to leave town because of it. A few admitted to crossing the border illegally, and said going back home will likely be their next move due to the new law and a slumping economy.

"Right now people hear the news, they're leaving for Mexico," said Mexican native Leo Martinez. Martinez said he was working in America on a visa, but that many of his friends and workers were not.

What have we pro-enforcement advocates been saying for what seems a hundred years now??? Oh ya, that we don't have to round up and deport 15 million illegal aliens, that if we just enforced our laws they would leave. Thank-you Alabama, for providing some proof.

Originally Posted by builditnow

WHNT News 19 talked to several local immigrants from Mexico on Sunday, with some of them already making plans to leave town because of it. A few admitted to crossing the border illegally, and said going back home will likely be their next move due to the new law and a slumping economy.

"Right now people hear the news, they're leaving for Mexico," said Mexican native Leo Martinez. Martinez said he was working in America on a visa, but that many of his friends and workers were not.

What have we pro-enforcement advocates been saying for what seems a hundred years now??? Oh ya, that we don't have to round up and deport 15 million illegal aliens, that if we just enforced our laws they would leave. Thank-you Alabama, for providing some proof.

Enforcement Works. Its quite obvious. I bet if the President just asked all Illegal aliens to leave many more would self deport. Instead he keeps promising amnesty which is MAKING THEM STAY HERE rather THAN self deport....

"I think that it's not good for us," said Pedro Cruz, who confirmed his status as a non-citizen. "We only want to work, we came here to work. We may have to go somewhere else to work."

How about going back to YOUR Country and making the same demands on them as you make on OUR government? We owe you nothing, and going to another state isn't going to help!

why don't you Illegal immigrant go back to your country & Demand
to your gov what you want ?
& see what you will
Not In our country any more
Obama is not going to be in the Wh long so go home
No amnesty