On Thursday, April 5th, 2012, Alabama state legislators introduced a new bill to amend Alabama's controversial "anti-illegal immigration" law: The law has, since its enactment last year, managed to generate tremendous opposition from Alabama businesses as well as agricultural and civil rights groups.
Under the existing 2010 anti-illegal immigration law, which took effect last September, Alabama police are required to check the legal status of individuals they stop whom they suspect of being in the country illegally. But under the revised bill, police would be required to perform such a check only if the individual receives a traffic citation or is arrested.
The bill also modifies a provision - which was blocked by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals - that calls for public schools to check the immigration status of students.
Under proposed changes, school would no longer face that obligation, and instead, the state Department of Education would have to estimate the fiscal impact of educating illegal immigrants. "Under no circumstance does the Legislature intend to deny anyone the opportunity to receive a free public education," the bill reads.
Among other changes: A requirement people show proof they are lawfully in the country would be limited to those seeking driver's licenses, vehicle tags and business licenses.
[WSJ, Friday, April 6th, 2012]
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