The Shifting Landscape of Immigration Enforcement in Alabama

July 19, 2025 Staff Writer

As law enforcement agents in Alabama continue to arrest immigrants at an unprecedented rate, the state's immigration landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. According to recent data, 1,947 immigrants were apprehended in 2025, up from 1,823 in 2024. This surge in arrests has sparked debate about the role of local law enforcement in immigration enforcement.

*The 287(g) Program: A Tool for Immigration Enforcement*

The 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to partner with federal agents, has been instrumental in the increased arrests. As Chris Cannon, an assistant field officer in ICE's New Orleans office, noted, "We want to make one of your deputies, and maybe more of them, mini-immigration officers." This approach has raised concerns about the potential for racial profiling and erosion of trust between immigrant communities and local police.

*The Impact on Immigrant Communities*

The increased enforcement efforts have resulted in more removals, including deportations and exclusion proceedings. As of June 26, 2025, 1,430 removals have been carried out, including 352 deportations. Immigration attorney Freddy Rubio argues that the current approach won't solve the systemic issue of employers hiring undocumented workers. "If they wanted to get even bigger numbers, go to north Alabama to the chicken processing plants, and in one day, they could round up more than 1,700 undocumented workers," Rubio said.

*The Future of Immigration Enforcement*

As the Trump administration plans to add 10,000 more federal agents and increase ICE's annual budget from $8 billion to $28 billion, the debate about immigration enforcement is likely to intensify. The question remains: what is the most effective way to address undocumented immigration, and how can law enforcement agencies balance public safety with individual rights?

*Source:* (link unavailable), Sarah Whites-Koditschek and Rebecca Griesbach.