Deportation fear engulfs immigrants in Alabama

United States, 10th October: Immigrants in Alabama seemed to be living in a state of fear following a recent immigration crackdown in this US state.

Panic, fear spreads among undocumented immigrants in Alabama--Parents of many immigrants in Alabama are fearing deportation or arrest by immigration officials and as a result, they are requesting their friends and relatives to take care of their children in case such a thing happens in the coming times.

No wonder, many undocumented immigrants have already begun planning to help their friends or relatives take legal custody of their children if they(immigrant parents) are sent to jail under the new Alabama immigration law.

Alabama immigration law toughest--Although, this might appear to be a clever tactic for Senators including Scotto Beason, who think it as a good way for inviting sympathy for undocumented immigrants, but the truth is that it is a cause of serious concern for majority of undocumented immigrants living in Alabama.

The new tough Alabama measure, which is being regarded as the toughest law in the US, aims to weed out undocumented immigrants from this US state by robbing them of many rights. And the effects are clearly evident on the Hispanics living in Alabama.

The law entitles traffic police officials to query any person suspected to be living in the US without legal authority and put him behind bars if he or she does not have any proof of US citizenship. The police will not need any bonds for arresting such persons.

Stop the law, save immigrants from injustice--For undocumented immigrants like Maria Patino, even a chance meeting with police officials could end their chances of meeting their young ones forever.

Patino says she is unsure of her return each time she leaves her home for her job. She says she, along with her husband, is compelled to keep working since she have two young kids who have different needs to be fulfilled.

And the worst thing is that she does not have any relatives or friends to care for their kids in case of their arrest by police officials.

Meanwhile, the civil rights group and the US Justice Department has urged the US appeals court to block such a law since it smacks of discrimination even against legal US residents. The law is going to remain in effect until 29th November, the date when the court would hear arguments.