Refugees in Alabama are fearful of possible deportations following President Donald Trump’s immigration policy that is ramping up deportations, officials of an Huntsville-based resettlement organization said.

The demonstration against President Trump’s immigration crackdown Wednesday night on the streets of downtown Albertville was “deeply concerning,” the dean of Alabama’s congressional delegation said Thursday.

The Trump administration has assigned arrest quotas to ICE agents, directing them to arrest at least 1,200 to 1,500 people per day. ICE agents have made arrests all over the country, and Sahonic says they have been spotted in Montgomery.

Members of the local Hispanic community and their allies are organizing a peaceful protest this weekend in response to strict executive orders

The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that 13 people were currently in its jail on detainers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “We are providing support and assistance to our Federal partners with the apprehension of illegal criminals in Mobile County,” Sheriff Paul Burch said.

This legislation is the most significant immigration enforcement and border security related bill to pass the Senate in nearly three decades.

The Nehemiah Center is working with other organizations specializing in immigration practices to address concerns by helping immigrants understand what’s happening and informing them of their rights.

Two bills prefiled in the Alabama legislature would enhance sentencing of illegal immigrants, and give local police powers to enforce immigration law.

The poultry industry in Alabama is huge. According to the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, the industry employs 86,000 people in the state. A bird-flu outbreak began in 2022, and egg prices have more than doubled to more than $4 a dozen at the end of last year.

Anyone, including ICE agents, can enter public areas without permission. Examples of public areas include lobbies, dining areas in restaurants and waiting rooms, according to the National Immigration Law Center, a nonprofit advocacy organization known as NILC.

ICE RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TRICKLING DOWN RIGHT HERE TO CENTRAL ALABAMA. THERE’S A LOT OF FEAR AND PANIC IN THE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY. ALLISON HAMILTON IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE.

A memo sent to all superintendents in the state is offering some direction to school leaders if arrests of undocumented individuals were ever to impact Alabama schools.