By Joyce Spielberger, BJF

One panelist said repeal it; one panelist said it is creating difficulties in the business community; one panelist said it has created dilemmas for law enforcement agencies; and one panelist said it has already yielded positive results.

"It" is Alabama's new immigration law, HB 56. These opinions and others were expressed by speakers at a forum on the new law hosted recently by The Birmingham Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Coalition.

The purpose of the program was to help our community better understand HB 56 and to encourage people to form their own opinions regarding this new law. The forum featured a panel of specifically selected community leaders representing different points of view.

The panelists included Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale; Isabel Rubio, Executive Director of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama; Alabama State Representative Ed Henry, who voted in favor of the legislation; and John Norris, Managing Director, Head of Wealth Management for Oakworth Capital, who was recommended to the JCRC by the Birmingham Business Alliance. BJF Executive Director Richard Friedman served as moderator.

The audience received copies of the text of HB 56 as well as contact information for the Governor, Attorney General and each Alabama state legislator. The goal of the forum was not only to educate, but to also provide participants with the proper tools to make their voices heard. Members of the audience were encouraged to learn as much as possible about the new immigration law and its implications and make up their own minds.

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

The forum began with Richard allowing the panelists a couple of minutes to address the law from their own perspectives.

Isabel began by speaking about the "unintended consequences" of the bill, the fear the bill has put into the Hispanic community, the children who are staying out of school, the unreported crime and the everyday hassles the law has created for all Alabama citizens.

John came from a business perspective and outlined what he feels will be the potential economic impact and cost of the bill to our state. He discussed the potential loss of sales tax revenue if approximately 120,000 consumers (undocumented workers) "self deport." HB 56, John said, will put our state at a severe economic disadvantage.

Sheriff Hale addressed the strain the bill is placing on law enforcement personnel in Jefferson County. He acknowledged that his officers are "duty bound" to uphold the law but with a budget that has been cut by 1/3 (approximately $20 million) and the recent closing of one jail, the department is already stretched thin. Hale said that his officers need more specific instruction in enforcing the law, yet he has been unable to access funding for proper training.

Rep. Henry, a co-sponsor of HB 56, defended the new law. He stated that he was proud to have voted for it and said that the unemployment rate had already gone down in one county, a development he attributed to the new immigration law. He also said he voted for the bill to send the Federal government the "message" that it needs to do more on the immigration issue.

(Richard Friedman, the moderator, especially thanked Rep. Henry for coming. He represents a district in north Alabama and is not a Birmingham-area legislator. The BJF, despite attempts, was unable to arrange for a Birmingham-area legislator to appear.)

RECONCILING DIFFERENCES?

The panelists were asked if proponents and opponents of the bill could reconcile their differences? In general, their answers were not optimistic. However, two of the panelists noted that proponents and opponents would agree that the Federal government's lack of responsiveness on the immigration issue has helped create the current situation.

Sherriff Hale reiterated that his officers only want to "keep communities safe" and not serve as state immigration officers. "Immigration reform efforts need to be led by our Congress, Vice President and President who can secure the borders," he said. Isabel reinforced the importance of a Federal effort stating that "a 50 state patchwork solution is not the way to go about immigration reform."

Those in attendance were given the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists which led to more discussion. It was clear that the bill touched the sensitivities of many who had come.

One woman, who said she has undocumented friends, was worried about what might happen to them if they were in danger or needed medical attention. Another questioner asked the panel whether HB 56 would hurt the state when it comes to recruiting foreign businesses to locate in Alabama. Other questions dealt with social justice implications of the new law.

The panelists were asked if they thought comparisons between the new bill and Alabama's oppressive Civil Rights era were fair. John, Rep. Henry and Sheriff Hale said no, believing that the conditions that prevailed in Alabama during the segregation era were vastly different. Isabel, concerned that this new law singles out Hispanics, implied yes.

ONE SENTENCE

In closing, Richard asked each panelist to summarize in a sentence the thoughts they wanted to leave with the audience. Isabel said, "HB 56 is not who we are in Alabama; repeal HB 56." Sheriff Hale repeated that the role of government is to keep neighborhoods and communities safe. John said, "HB 56 is filled with economic pitfalls and slippery slopes." Rep. Henry said, "States need to stand up and do what's right."

After the forum, we received several emails from those who attended. All expressed satisfaction that The BJF had created a balanced panel. One person remarked that though he is against the bill, he felt that he received a sense from Rep. Henry of the thinking of those who supported it, which was important and helpful.

The BJF will continue to offer opportunities to learn more about our state's new immigration law. Everyday in so many ways The BJF keeps our community informed about important issues, so that people can make up their own minds and express their views accordingly. For copies of the text of HB 56 or the contact list for our state legislators, contact Donna Berry at The BJF at donnab@bjf.org or call 205-879-0416.

Pictured, from left, are Isabel Rubio, Executive Director of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama; John Norris, Managing Director, Head of Wealth Management for Oakworth Capital; Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale and Alabama State Rep. Ed Henry.