New law raising concern for some in the immigrant community in Alabama

New law raising concern for some in the immigrant community in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) -- The Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) is speaking out after a new law has taken effect this week. They said it targets the immigrant community, while others said it will keep Alabama safe. A new law requires police to take fingerprints and DNA swabs of people they arrest. That's if the person can't prove their U.S. citizenship and are found to be in the state unlawfully. Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City) said …

Law takes effect requiring collection of immigrant biometric data

A law passed requiring local law enforcement agencies to collect biometric data from undocumented immigrants is now in effect. Senate Bill 63 requires law enforcement agencies in Alabama to collect fingerprints and DNA from any undocumented immigrant in their custody before release. These biometric samples would then be submitted to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency for cataloging and to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for ent…