IRONDALE - During the week of August 5th, photographs of people boarding charter buses in Albertville, AL were shared on social media, drawing controversial and anti-immigrant commentary about the purpose of the buses and the people using them.  On August 9th, an Alabama State Senator made comments connecting the situation in Albertville with U.S. border policy.  On August 13th, a meeting was hosted at a local church in Albertville, opening the door for public expression of anti-immigrant and racist sentiments.  

 

The Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice envisions an Alabama that values justice, nurtures equality, and protects the rights of everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability, or migratory status.  Throughout its history as a non-partisan organization, ACIJ has fought for the rights of immigrants to live without fear and be treated equally and fairly under the eyes of the law.  Grounded in this vision and principles, we are providing the following statements in response to recent events in Albertville, AL.

 

First and foremost, ACIJ condemns the use of racist, xenophobic language against Haitian people at the Albertville church meeting on August 13.  Throughout its history as a non-partisan organization, ACIJ has fought for the rights of immigrants to live that dream and be treated equally and fairly under the eyes of the law.  Haiti has long been subject to inequitable trade policies and diplomatic control by the U.S., factors that have contributed significantly to the instability of Haiti.  Meanwhile, Haitian Americans and immigrants have contributed their labor and culture to the United States, and we at ACIJ recognize their historical and modern contributions among many. 
 

The buses in Albertville were chartered by local poultry processing plants to transport workers from their homes to the workplace; there is no connection between these buses and the U.S. border.  The necessity for these buses arises from Alabama’s widespread lack of public transportation.  

 

The workers on these buses and in the poultry plants are not undocumented immigrants.  They have permits to work in the United States.  Politicians on all sides recognize that Alabama has a widespread labor force shortage - this led to the establishment of the Alabama Workforce and Wage Gap Task Force. Immigration plays a vital role in expanding the labor force in Alabama.

 

Albertville is a thriving community because of its immigrant population.  Immigrant families residing in Albertville pay taxes, open businesses, and support the local and state economy.  Undocumented immigrants and those with work permits can not receive Medicare, Social Security, or virtually any Alabama state benefits, even though they pay taxes to fund these programs.  In 2022, undocumented immigrants in the U.S. paid $97 billion in taxes. Of the $97 billion total, they paid $59 billion in federal taxes and $37 billion in state and local taxes. Among state and local taxes are $15 million in sales tax, $10 billion in property tax, $7 billion in personal and business income taxes as well as more in other taxes.
 

Allison Hamilton, Executive Director of ACIJ, states: “In the midst of an increasingly polarized society, we recognize the crucial need to provide factual information and debunk the widespread misinformation around immigration in Alabama and the United States. Comprehensive immigration reform requires bipartisan cooperation on the federal level through the U.S. Congress, and we must be able to move past our differences and recognize the necessity of immigrants for the future success of our nation.  ACIJ urges Alabama lawmakers and community members to ensure that all sides are represented in discussions of immigration.”