The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to strengthen immigration enforcement measures by requiring jail administrators to assess whether detained individuals are illegal aliens under certain conditions. It introduces a new section, 31-13-13.1, which criminalizes human smuggling and outlines associated penalties. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 31-13, which previously addressed illegal aliens, and modifies definitions related to immigration, including the terms "alien," "illegal alien," and "lawful presence." Significant insertions include a clearer definition of "illegal alien" and the specification that an individual is only considered unlawfully present if their immigration status has been verified by federal authorities.

The bill also replaces the term "person" with "individual" in various definitions and establishes that individuals providing valid identification are presumed not to be illegal aliens. Law enforcement is mandated to make reasonable attempts to verify an individual's immigration status through federal channels, while prohibiting determinations based on race, color, or national origin. The new offense of human smuggling is classified as a Class C felony, with exceptions for certain professionals transporting individuals for specific purposes. The bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 31-13-3, 31-13-12, 31-13-18
Engrossed: 31-13-3, 31-13-12, 31-13-18
Enrolled: 31-13-3, 31-13-12, 31-13-18