The Albertville City Schools system has seen an increase in enrollment of students from Haiti, with about 110 students from the country enrolling since January. The influx is attributed to changes in federal immigration policies that allow Haitians to qualify for refugee status and federal assistance. Local officials, while welcoming the students, acknowledge the need for additional resources to educate them effectively.
The recent use of charter buses by Pilgrim’s Pride to transport workers to their expanded plant in Russellville raised concerns among residents about immigrants being bused in from out of state. State Rep. Brock Colvin clarified that the buses were simply transporting workers within the state, but acknowledged the increase in the immigrant population.
While some residents are concerned about the strain on public resources and services, others are hopeful that the new residents will contribute positively to the community. Job opportunities at Pilgrim’s Pride offer competitive wages and benefits, but concerns remain about the sustainability of services and housing availability.
Local, state, and federal officials are working together to address the immigration influx and ensure that resources are allocated effectively. Despite challenges, educators in the school system are praised for their dedication to providing a high-quality education to all students, including English Language Learners. The district receives some state and federal funding for ELL programs but advocates for more federal support to deal with the increasing immigrant population.
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