The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States is currently collaborating with state law enforcement agencies and has initiated one of the first joint state and federal driver’s license checkpoint operations in Alabama. Over the past few days, more than twenty individuals have been detained.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently confirmed to Fox News digital edition that she has directed the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and other agencies to “closely cooperate with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to apprehend criminal undocumented immigrants.”
Ivey specifically mentioned that ALEA’s recent “sweep operation” in Russellville has been particularly successful, leading to the detention of at least twenty individuals. In a statement released to Fox News digital edition, ALEA confirmed that during this operation, ALEA officers set up driver’s license checkpoints in Franklin and Colbert counties, with ICE agents present on-site.
The arrest operations took place in two locations, Loxley and Spanish Fort. According to census data, over one-third of the residents in this area identify themselves as Hispanic, significantly higher than the state’s 6% average.
Throughout the summer, ICE has conducted over twenty arrest operations in Baldwin County, home to the renowned “Redneck Riviera” beach town of Gulf Shores.
Birmingham immigration lawyer Brett Pouncey informed the statewide media AL.com that based on reports from his clients, many communities are collaborating with ICE, establishing “roadblocks” for driver’s license checks.
Governor Ivey stated, “Driver’s license checkpoints are spread throughout the state, serving as one of our means to intercept criminals, now with the participation of ICE agents in our operations.”
The Republican governor, who will step down next year due to term limits, emphasized that the state does not welcome criminal undocumented immigrants and will use “all available means” to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
State Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican seeking to succeed Ivey as governor next year, welcomed the collaboration between ALEA and ICE. He said, “When seventy-seven million Americans voted to support President Trump, they sent a clear message demanding the massive expulsion of (illegal criminal immigrants), to be executed immediately.”
He hopes that other states will follow Alabama’s lead and adopt similar strategies to collaborate with federal law enforcement agencies to combat illegal immigration and uphold public safety. He emphasized, “Illegal immigrant criminals shouldn’t be here in the first place.”
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a Republican, also expressed support for Ivey and ALEA’s work, lamenting that too many state leaders prioritize protecting criminals over safeguarding the rights of law-abiding citizens.
He stated, “We look forward to continued positive outcomes from the cooperation between our state and federal authorities.”
Evelyn Servin, a community organizer in Russellville, expressed to AL.com that Alabama law enforcement should not collaborate with federal agencies, alleging that local residents could be targeted for detention based on racial characteristics.
According to AL.com, an immigration rights advocate in the area suggested immigrants write a contact number on their body to reach family members in case of detention by ICE.
(Adapted from a report by FOX NEWS)