SB53 Summary

• Amends Alabama immigration law to require jail administrators to attempt to determine if arrested and detained individuals are illegal aliens through federal verification (8 U.S.C. § 1373(c)) when charged with specified felonies or certain misdemeanors.

• Establishes the crime of human smuggling as a Class C felony for knowingly transporting illegal aliens into Alabama, with exceptions for attorneys, educators, healthcare providers, and those transporting individuals for religious, charitable, or governmental purposes.

• Requires jail administrators to hold individuals in custody for up to 48 hours upon receipt of federal immigration detainers and administrative warrants, with protections from criminal or civil liability for law enforcement acting under these provisions.

• Defines "illegal alien" as an alien whose unlawful immigration status has been verified by the federal government, and establishes documents that create a presumption of lawful presence (Alabama driver's license, valid passport with visa, tribal identification, etc.).

• Repeals existing Section 31-13-13 regarding concealment and harboring of illegal aliens; effective date is October 1, 2025.