HB56 Alabama 2011 Session

Under existing law, the determination of who is an alien lawfully present in the United States and the enforcement of immigration laws are generally functions administered by the federal government

This bill would preclude any state or local government or official from refusing to enforce federal immigration laws. The bill would create specific crimes relating to the entry, presence, and involvement in economic activity of unauthorized aliens in this state and provide penalties therefor. The bill would require the verification of the legal status of persons by law enforcement officers under certain circumstances

The bill would prohibit the knowing or intentional hiring of unauthorized aliens and provide for penalties. The bill would require participation in the federal e-verify program for businesses receiving specified economic incentives as a condition for continued receipt of the incentives

This bill would provide procedures for the immobilization or impoundment of a vehicle under certain conditions

This bill would provide that an unauthorized alien who willfully affirms to false voter registration information or an individual who assists an unauthorized alien in willfully procuring false voter registration commits a Class C felony. This bill would also provide that an unauthorized alien who willfully votes commits a Class C felony

This bill would require proof of citizenship or legal residency in order to access government benefits

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

Relating to immigration laws; to provide for the enforcement of immigration laws on the state and local level; to make the entry, presence, and involvement in economic activity of unauthorized aliens illegal in the state and to provide penalties; to require the verification of the legal status of persons; to prohibit the knowing or intentional hiring of unauthorized aliens and to provide penalties; to require participation in the federal e-verify program; to provide procedures for the immobilization or impoundment of a vehicle under certain conditions; to prohibit certain practices related to voting and registration for voting and to provide criminal penalties; to require proof of citizenship or legal residency in order to access government benefits; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.