Alabama governor Robert Bentley has signed into law a controversial immigration reform measure, sparking debate on the issue once again.
Mr. Bentley’s signature comes as a similar Arizona immigration reform measure continues to face legal challenges from the Justice Department. Arizona governor Jan Brewer continues to defend the law, saying it was necessary in the wake of an influx of undocumented immigrants.
The Alabama immigration reform law is far more wide reaching than the Arizona measure. Under the measure signed into law by Mr. Bentley public schools are required to determine the immigration status of students and police must detain someone they suspect of being in the country illegally if the person cannot produce proper documentation when stopped for any reason.
In signing the measure, Mr. Bentley said the state continues to face immigration challenges and the Alabama immigration reform law will begin to alleviate pressure on state officials.
“We have a real problem with illegal immigration in this country,” Mr. Bentley said at the bill signing. “I campaigned for the toughest immigration laws, and I’m proud of the legislature for working tirelessly to create the strongest immigration bill in the country.”
The law is set to take effect on Sept. 1, but opponents are already preparing to mount legal challenges. It remains unclear whether the Justice Department will challenge the law as is did in Arizona.
The Alabama immigration law follows in the wake of a number of state attempting to pass similar legislation. Georgia and Utah are among the states implementing similar immigration laws earlier this year.
