The Alabama House passed the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at preventing the release of arrested undocumented immigrants and facilitating their deportation, named after a student killed by an undocumented immigrant. The bill would increase cooperation between local and federal law enforcement for immigration enforcement and require determination of immigration status for arrested individuals. Democrats expressed concerns of racial profiling and arbitrary deportations, with some arguing the bill would not address the issue at hand. The bill passed with a vote of 74-26, largely along party lines, and now heads to the Senate. Supporters believe it will enhance community safety, while opponents argue it creates fear among Hispanic communities. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, maintains that the bill protects against arbitrary detentions and includes provisions for timely release of individuals. Despite the passing of similar federal legislation, concerns remain about the effectiveness of the bill in preventing incidents like the one that led to Laken Riley’s death. The bill has been revised to soften language and address some concerns, but some Democrats still question its constitutionality. The debate over the Laken Riley Act highlights the deep divide between Republicans and Democrats in Alabama over immigration enforcement policies.
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