Latest news with #AlabamaLaw
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
More Republicans push to criminalize bringing immigrants in the US illegally across state lines
Alabama lawmakers have passed legislation that would make it a felony to knowingly bring someone into the state who is in the U.S. illegally, echoing similar bills nationwide that could restrict domestic travel for some immigrants. The legislation given final approval Wednesday protects 'not only the citizens of Alabama but also the people that are immigrating here legally and doing everything the right way,' said the bill's Republican sponsor, Sen. Wes Kitchens. The measure carves out exemptions for medical professionals such as ambulance drivers and employees for law firms, educators, churches or charitable organizations carrying out 'non-commercial' tasks. The bill also outlines a process for law enforcement to determine whether a person who is arrested is in the country legally. It now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who has 10 days to sign the legislation or else it fails by a pocket veto. Alabama joins at least nine other states that have considered legislation this year that would create crimes of transporting immigrants who are unlawfully in the U.S., according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. It's one of many recent bills passed by conservative statehouses seeking to aid President Donald Trump 's crackdown on immigration. Activists say Alabama could end up ensnaring people who provide transportation across state lines for essential services, such federal immigration court hearings in New Orleans and Atlanta, mandatory trips to out-of-state consulates and visits to family. Jordan Stallworth, 38, works as a civic engagement coordinator for the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice and lives in Wedowee, Alabama, a rural town of about 800 people that is just a 20-minute drive from Georgia. His wife has relatives living without legal status in both states and he often assists family members and other immigrants in the community with transportation. Recently, he drove a family member lacking legal status to the maternity ward in Carrollton, Georgia, 35 miles (56 kilometers) away, since the local hospital doesn't have one. Stallworth worries that similar trips will be criminalized. 'I'm not gonna sit here and somebody's dying in front of me just to have a baby — I'm not gonna sit here and just let her die, family or not,' Stallworth said. Federal law already makes it a crime to knowingly transport someone who is in the U.S. illegally. That law has been used in border areas against drivers picking up people who illegally cross into the U.S. But it has not historically been used for minor things like giving someone a ride to the grocery store, said Kathleen Campbell Walker, a longtime immigration attorney in El Paso, Texas. But immigrant advocates are watching to see whether that changes under Trump. 'The likelihood of that being enforced is higher now because of the focus on removing undocumented people from the United States,' Walker said. Alabama's legislation is similar to a 2023 Florida law, which made it a state crime to knowingly transport someone who entered the U.S. illegally. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against the Florida law last year, noting it's preemption by federal law. But in March, the judge narrowed that injunction to block the law's enforcement only against some who sued, including several individuals and members of The Farmworker Association of Florida. Democratic Rep. Phillip Ensler testified against the Alabama bill, saying the crime already exists under federal law. He conceded that exemptions made the bill better but said, 'It just seems very cruel and overly broad that we're going to criminalize people doing innocent things.' Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, signed a law last week that criminalizes harboring, transporting or hiding individuals without legal immigration status 'for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain.' Texas also has toughened its immigration laws. Last year, it increased prison sentences under a state anti-smuggling law that prohibits transporting individuals with the intent to conceal them from law enforcement. Some of the similar measures considered by legislatures this year would apply more narrowly than the Florida and Texas laws. An Idaho law signed in March by Republican Gov. Brad Little creates a felony crime of 'trafficking a dangerous illegal alien,' defined as knowingly transporting someone in the country illegally who has been convicted of a felony or certain sex offenses. The new crime is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. ____ Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Bad news for married Alabama lunch lady, 41, who 'took boy home and had sex with him'
A married Alabama lunchroom worker was terminated on Wednesday after she was arrested for allegedly having 'deviant sexual intercourse' with a student at her home. Amy Nicole Wigginton, 41, was placed in cuffs on April 4 following her alleged tryst with a student at Lauderdale County High in Alabama, near the border of Tennessee. She was charged with two counts of a school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student. Lauderdale County School District initially placed her on administrative leave following the arrest. The school board then voted unanimously to fire her during a recent meeting, Superintendent Jerry Hill told local news outlet Times Daily. Court records previously reviewed by ABC affiliate, WAAY, alleged that Wigginton had sex with a student at the high school under the age of 19 on two separate occasions. She is accused of committing the acts on March 7 and March 31 after bringing the student on her property. Wigginton confessed to the crimes during an interview with police, according to authorities. She was booked into the Lauderdale County Jail on a $100,000 bond, which she has since posted. Wigginton, who is currently out of jail, reportedly waived her rights after the arrest. Authorities haven't confirmed the nature of the alleged sex acts and the identity of the victim. The age of consent in Alabama is 16 years old, however, school employees can still be charged with sex abuse against students. Employees can still be arrested if the student is 18 years old as long as they're over the age of 22, according to Alabama Law. Sexual contact with a student is a Class C felony in the state, and consent can't be used as a defense. The Lauderdale County School System released a statement at the time of Wigginton's arrest that read, 'The Lauderdale County Board of Education is aware of the allegations, and the employee has been placed on administrative leave. 'We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials, and have no further comment on this matter.' Wigginton's family hasn't publicly addressed the allegations. According to her Facebook profile, she is a mother and a wife. reached out to school board officials in Lauderdale County for confirmation of her termination but didn't immediately hear back.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Yahoo
Mobile County Commission to hold public hearing on Alabama Bar & Lounge
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Mobile County Commission will conduct a public hearing to learn residents' thoughts about the Alabama Bar & Lounge, has learned. Fairhope is one of two remaining single-tax colonies in the U.S. — what it means The hearing is set for 10 a.m. on March 24 at Mobile Government Plaza. According to a public notice, the commission will consider 'whether Alabama Bar & Lounge is operating in a manner that is unsafe and or incompatible with the best interests of the residents of Mobile County.' The notice said the commission would evaluate whether the business 'poses a threat to the 'welfare, health, peace, temperance, and safety of the community' as defined under Alabama Law.' The notice said the commission has received 'several' complaints about the business from Mobile County residents. 'In the past six (6) years, the Mobile Police Department documented many calls/incidents involving alleged, violent, or other serious crimes at the lounge's location at 10071 Airport Boulevard, including two (2) homicides…,' the notice said. BUSINESS LOCATION On Feb. 1, 2025, a deadly shooting occurred in the Alabama Bar & Lounge's parking lot. Matthew Sanders, 20, is accused of killing 22-year-old Hunter Lins after a fight broke out inside the bar. The fight eventually escalated and spilled outside, where Sanders pulled a gun out of his car, and allegedly said, 'I got something for y'all.' Coffee creamer shipped to Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, among other states, recalled Sanders has , and the case is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
