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.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that county and municipal jails make reasonable efforts to determine the lawful status of individuals in their custody and outlines procedures for verifying immigration status, including contacting the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) or ICE. It specifies that inmates identified as illegal aliens cannot be detained solely based on their status unless directed by federal authorities and requires jails to maintain records of communications with ICE. The bill also establishes new requirements for jails regarding immigration detainer requests, including informing inmates of their status and preparing quarterly reports on inmate bookings related to immigration. Importantly, the bill does not limit any rights recognized by the Alabama or U.S. Constitutions and is set to take effect on 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