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State Rep. Micky Hammon, (R-Ala), and Thomas Rodi, Archbishop of Mobile, Ala., debate the state’s new law.
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And Alabama's new immigration laws being called one of the strongest in the nation -- set that take effect September 1 out the Catholic Church.
And the Department of Justice.
Have both filed lawsuits to stop -- before it starts -- state representative.
Making him and sponsored the bill He joins us now from Huntsville Alabama.
-- I I read your bill -- I read the the Arizona bill there's no question you guys are tougher -- Can you explain to us in simple terms what you're doing that's on top of what the Arizona bill which is already pretty tough.
Where we started with -- on mobile but we've worked almost legislation for about seven years we never could pass it may have attributed to a four.
Four vote fortunately.
Republicans for the first time in 136 years took over both houses of the legislature.
And Alabama and we were able to pass this meal this year so we took Arizona's bill and David and Alabama flavor.
In other words you have to show.
With state of Alabama which would be a business -- and they vehicle tank or any other out and you have -- purchased from the site.
We also that have and no harboring.
No transporting.
No aiding the illegal immigrants and the keyword -- as knowingly.
Knowingly do that with the intention to -- the -- then you are breaking allowing your sales.
Now the NORTHERN -- could lose group have -- record the -- Who are the most of the illegal immigrants that are found and returned in Alabama are they Hispanic are the Asian what what what is the mix.
We -- we do have a mixed the vast majority are -- that we do have.
Other.
People from around the world different places that have been -- -- from Alabama.
So is it fair to say that.
If I'm a law enforcement over -- -- pull somebody over in their car I asked him for their -- they speak very broken or very little English.
Is that enough of a probable cause -- -- ask to see you know additional -- beyond just a driver's license.
Where you know on Oracle's officers are very well trained here now Obama and this is similar to approaching someone that you -- Suspicions of having drugs.
First we have to pull them over there must be suspicious activity in other words the -- fed might not -- vehicle description.
The story of -- the person's coming from -- going to might not match where they really all the law enforcement has a list of battles that they years.
And when they go before the judge.
They had better have their -- and -- a little better have a good reason.
For that reasonable suspicion some very confident that our law enforcement officers here we'll handle this properly without profile.
And an I mean I and I understand I think we -- coming from here is that obviously you would assume the US federal government would would do this but they're not.
Are you making is this an economic decision is this a moral decision.
Because you know if these people are taking jobs from Alabama's and they are illegal.
Well I think you make an economic case.
Make -- economic case for me.
-- -- you know.
We are losing thousands of jobs to illegal immigrants.
We are losing.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in our tax revenue -- of the problem of illegal immigrants.
We feel like it costs -- 200 million dollars a year to educate the children of illegal all right.
Our wages have been depressed the counts of illegal immigrants they also send.
Hundreds of millions of dollars.
Out of this state every year and that money is not placed back into our economy we can generate more jobs so this will -- up our state revenue.
It will help protect our government services that are meant for legal residents and citizens -- And it will help open thousands of jobs for the people in Alabama and we have nine point 2% unemployment we need these jobs to put our people back to work.
-- about that I think we all understand that I appreciate your time and -- and I I you know -- -- put your gonna get reputation on the line -- -- your your take courage I appreciate it alright.
Thanks for joining us.
-- our next guest is is part of the group of archbishops who are filing suit against the new law in Alabama say it could analyzes.
Aspects of the church's mission.
We welcome.
Our our bishop I should say Thomas road.
The congressman later you know the represented made a case from an economic standpoint.
I think you could probably understand a lot of those up parts of his argument.
I'm your argument though is more from a moralistic and moralistic Sam points -- it it sounds like to me give us your case.
Well on September 1 that the new anti immigration laws and state of Alabama go into effect.
And it says in part that.
No it's -- legal to quote -- -- unquote and illegal immigrant to live in the state of Alabama and when the the four of us who serve as bishops Catholic episcopal Methodist.
Looked at that we realize that this would criminalize some numbers of our churches.
If these immigrants would approach our ministries.
Pay it any ministry of the church could be interpreted as encouraging.
Someone to live in the state and so would -- it be illegal for us.
Two well comb immigrants those immigrants who are are Sunday school are scripture study.
They have to.
Two anyway have outreach programs to them -- be illegal for them to come to our thrift shops to.
Give them food or clothing or to give them a ride to the doctor -- many of our.
Churches ride the elderly and the handicapped to the doctor -- we consoled.
For women and mothers with threatened problem pregnancies.
And give them.
Diapers and baby food all these things would make the numbers are churches who were citizens of Alabama.
Criminal.
Site but -- -- hundreds of this.
But you understand you know we have a separation of church and state here with the state here is saying is that if the federal government will not enforce.
The He legality of these immigrants others they are clearly not legal immigrants.
That the state is trying to enforce the law because the federal government -- and frankly they don't have the funds.
It based on their economy to support both legal and illegal.
Is it -- for the state to enforce the letter of the law.
It's been I believe in the separation of church and state in the church does not control the borders the United States share.
Nor decide who comes -- that is first and foremost responsibility the federal government and an argument can be made the federal government has failed.
A pretty good -- borders and to have by workable just immigration part okay.
But once those immigrants or in our midst.
Then we have a moral obligation as believers to be Christ like to -- and that's law.
It says to the churches in effect we want you to be -- forces of -- And that that violates our free exercise of religion -- I expect state to enforce the law not for them to be.
Asking parts that then this law says that we cannot.
Have quote reckless disregard -- when it comes to the immigrant status of someone no one knows that that.
Mean the all right lots of lots of I got -- I find are getting you there I got I I hear you -- it it's.
It is sort of the moral vs Douglas has to the state and I think we -- appreciate your your your problem here thank you so much for being homeless are -- -- on debt.
