The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to strengthen immigration enforcement by requiring jail administrators to assess the immigration status of detained individuals under certain conditions. It introduces a new definition for "illegal alien," defined as an alien not lawfully present in the United States, and establishes a new crime of human smuggling, classified as a Class C felony, with associated penalties. The bill also repeals Section 31-13-13, which previously addressed illegal aliens, and updates various definitions related to employment and immigration status, replacing "person" with "individual" and clarifying terms like "lawful presence" and "employer."

Furthermore, the bill mandates that law enforcement officers make reasonable attempts to determine the immigration status of individuals during lawful stops, detentions, or arrests, with a requirement to verify the status of arrested individuals within 24 hours. If federal verification is delayed, the individual must be released unless specified otherwise. The bill also includes exceptions for attorneys and educators in specific circumstances. The provisions of this act are set 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