ACLU Lens: Alabama in Chaos as Residents Flee After Immigration Law Takes Effect

Alabama has been in a state of utter chaos following a federal judge’s Sept. 28 ruling upholding some of the worst provisions of H.B. 56, the state’s draconian anti-immigrant law. The ACLU and ACLU of Alabama, along with a coalition of civil rights groups, are working to protect the rights of all Alabamians by ensuring that the community has accurate information about the law. We are meeting with members of the community across the state, informing them of their rights and helping maintain a hotline for people to call for information, or report problems related to the law.

If you’re in Alabama and need to speak to someone about the law and your rights, call 1-800-982-1620.

ACLU staffers on the ground report that masses of families are fleeing the state in fear. There is a drastic increase in law enforcement checkpoints; as a result, many people have stopped driving altogether. Afraid to drive, parents are pulling their children out of school, and have stopped going to work. Farmers’ migrant workforces have fled the state, leaving crops to rot.

On the legal front, on Friday, the ACLU and other advocacy groups filed an emergency request with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit to block the law. The Department of Justice also filed this request Friday.

We’ll have photos and video from Alabama all this week — stay tuned.

In the News:

• Washington Post: Alabama Immigration Law Sends Hispanic Families Fleeing
• Latino USA: Interview with ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project attorney Andre Segura
• NPR: A Rush to Calm Alabama’s Frightened Families
• Atlanta-Journal Constitution: Immigrants fearing deportation make plans for kids
• Los Angeles Times: Alabama’s immigration law prompts alarm

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