The Laken Riley Act is a proposed bill aimed at enhancing the enforcement of federal immigration laws in Alabama by allowing state and local law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements with federal agencies like the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. The bill introduces new legal language by designating Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-35 as Article 1 and adding Article 2, starting with Section 31-13-50, to Chapter 13 of Title 31 of the Code of Alabama 1975. Key provisions include granting law enforcement officers the authority to arrest individuals suspected of being illegal aliens, requiring jails to honor immigration detainer requests under specific conditions, and establishing procedures for the intake and booking of illegal aliens and foreign nationals in jails.

Furthermore, the bill outlines procedures for verifying the immigration status of individuals in jails, including the use of interpreters and the requirement to contact the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) or ICE for status verification. It mandates that jail staff maintain records of communications with ICE and specifies that inmates identified as illegal aliens cannot be detained solely based on their status unless directed by federal authorities. The bill also includes a provision for the timely release of inmates if federal warrants are not received within 48 hours. Additionally, it establishes new requirements for jails regarding immigration detainer requests, mandates quarterly reporting on inmate bookings, and emphasizes that it does not limit rights established by the Alabama or U.S. Constitutions, with an effective date of June 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 31-13-50, 31-13-1, 31-13-35
Engrossed: 31-13-50, 31-13-1, 31-13-35