MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Legislature moved a step closer Thursday night to passing an Arizona-style law that would crack down on illegal immigrants and on employers who hire them.
The Alabama Senate voted 23-11 for the bill that had already cleared the House. Senators changed it to make it almost identical to a measure that passed the Senate earlier this month.
Senate sponsor Republican Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale said a conference committee will be needed to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions.
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Both bills would require police officers to demand proof of citizenship or residency from anyone they stop for a traffic violation or other infraction if they have reasonable suspicion the person is in the United States illegally. Those whose legal status can't be determined could be jailed and eventually charged with trespassing if they are determined to be in the country illegally.
The bills make it a crime to knowingly house, give a ride to, rent to or employ an illegal immigrant.
They vary in their punishments and whether businesses are held responsible for subcontractors who use illegal immigrants. But the main difference is that the House bill requires all businesses to use the federal E-Verify program, an Internet-based system that allows an employer to check a potential employee's legal status based on information routinely required on employment forms.
The vote on the bill fell mostly on party lines with Democrats opposing it and Republicans supporting it.
Opponents said the bill goes too far and will lead to racial profiling by police officers.
"It allows discrimination against certain ethnic groups," said Rep. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro.
But Beason said the bill would reduce unemployment in Alabama by making jobs currently held by illegal immigrants available for legal residents.
"This is a jobs bill for Alabama. It puts thousands of Alabamians back to work," Beason said.
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