Skip to Main Content

Arizona and National Immigration Crisis: Alabama

Covers Arizona & the nation's immigration crisis. Designed for Rebellious Lawyering trainings, the content reflects the work of June Kim, RA Tara Kearns, & Professor Gerald P. López. PLEASE NOTE: This guide is not currently being updated.

USA v. State of Alabama, et al.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Docket No. 11-14532.

Oral argument scheduled: Thursday, 3/1/2012 in Atlanta Courtroom 339.

USA v. Alabama and Gov. Bentley Complaint (US DC Aug. 1, 2011)
USA v. Alabama Memo Opinion (US DC Sept. 28, 2011)
USA v. Alabama Order (US DC Sept. 28, 2011)
USA's Time Sensitive Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal (11th Cir. Oct. 7, 2011)
The U.S.'s 28-page motion. The addendum (pages 29-219) is not included.
Alabama and Gov. Bentley's Preliminary Response to the USA's Request for Temp. Injunction (11th Cir.
Court Grants Motion to Expedite Appeal (11th Cir. Oct. 7, 2011)
State Defendants' Opposition to Appellants' Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal (11th Cir. Oct. 11,
Exhibits omitted.
USA's Reply in Support of Time Sensitive Motion for Injuction (11th Cir. Oct. 12, 2011)
Court Grants, in Part, Motion for Inunction Pending Appeal (11th Cir. Oct. 14, 2011)
USA v. Alabama, Brief for Appellant (11th Cir. Nov. 14, 2011)
Ps Response to Ds Time-Sensitive Opposed Motion to Stay Appeals (11th Cir. Dec. 19, 2011)
USA's Opposition to Ds Motion to Stay Appeal (11th Cir. Dec. 19, 2011)
Ds Reply in Support of Time-Sensitive Opposed Motion to Stay Appeal (11th Cir. Dec. 19, 2011)
Ds Alabama and Gov. Bentley Response Brief (11th Cir. Dec. 28, 2011)
Joint Report Requesting Stay (US DC Jan. 10, 2012)
Memo in Opposition to US' Motion for PI (US DC Jan. 17, 2012)
Corrected Response Brief and Principal Brief for State of Alabama and Gov. Bentley (11th Cir. 1-24-1
USA v. Alabama Response & Reply Brief of USA (11th Cir. Jan. 30, 2012)
Reply Brief for Cross-Appellants Alabama and Gov. Bentley (11th Cir. Feb. 13, 2012)
USA v. Alabama, Order Expanding Oct. 14, 2011 Order and Enjoining Alabama (11th Cir. 3-8-12)
Further enjoins state of Alabama from enforcing Sec. 27 and Sec. 30 of HB 56 pending complete resolution of these appeals.
Opposed Motion to Partially Vacate Injunction Pending Appeal (11th Cir. 5-24-12)
USA's Opposition to Motion to Vacate Injunction Pending Appeal (11th Cir. 6-7-12)
Alabama's Reply in Support of Opposed Motion to Partially Vacate Injunction Pending Appeal (6-7-12)
Court Order (11th Cir. 6-25-12)
Parties are permitted to file a supplemental brief addressing the effect of the SCOTUS opinion on the issues raised in these appeals.
Supplemental Brief for the United States (11th Cir. 7-6-12)
Supplemental Brief for Alabama (11th Cir. 7-6-12)
Opinion (11th Cir. 8-20-12)
Affirmed in part, Reversed in part, Dismissed in part and Remanded.

Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama v. Bentley

HICA's class action lawsuit
From the Southern Poverty Law Center case docket page.

Docket info:

United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Docket No. 5:11-cv-02484

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, No. 11-14535
Update: HICA v. Bentley, Proposed Settlement Agreement (N.D. Ala., Oct. 29, 2013).
Available on the Southern Poverty Law Center website. 12-page PDF

Other Court Documents

Parsley v. Bentley Complaint (Aug. 1, 2011)
United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northeastern Division. Civil Action File No. CV-11-S-2736-NE. 34-page PDF.
Plaintiffs Motion for PI and Memo in Support (Aug. 5, 2011)
State Defendants' Response to Plantiffs' Motion for PI and Memo in Support (Aug. 5, 2011)
Plaintiffs Amended Motion for PI and Memo in Support (Aug. 10, 2011)
Parsley v. Bentley, Plaintiffs Second Amended Complaint (Aug. 11, 2011)
State Defs Response to Church Leaders Amended Motion for PI and Memo in Support (Aug. 15, 2011)
State Defs Supp. Briefing re Equal Protection Challenge (Aug. 20, 2011)
Plaintiffs HICA et al Supp Sec 28 Briefing (Aug. 21, 2011)
Re classifications, level of scrutiny and state's burden
Plaintiff USA's Reply in Support of Motion for PI (Aug. 23, 2011)
U.S. District Court Judge Blackburn's Order to Temporarily Enjoin (Aug, 29, 2011)
Judge Blackburn's Order to Vacate Order Consolidating Cases (Sept. 1, 2011)
Cases are severed. Parties must file all future pleadings in individual cases as appropriate.
Parsley v. Bentley Memo Opinion (9-28-11)
Parsley v. Bentley Order (9-28-11)
Amended motion for PI is moot.

Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn

Born 1950 in Pensacola, FL
Federal Judicial Service:

Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
Nominated by George H.W. Bush on April 11, 1991; Confirmed by Senate on May 24, 1991, and received commission on May 30, 1991. Served as chief judge, 2006-present.

Education:

University of Alabama, Tuscallossa, B.A. 1973
Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 1977

Professional Career:

Law clerk, Hon. J. O. Sentell, Clerk, Alabama Supreme Court, 1977
Law clerk, Hon. Robert Varner, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, 1977-78
Staff attorney, Birmingham Area Legal Services, Birmingham, Alabama, 1979
Assistant U.S. attorney, Northern District of Alabama, 1979-1991

Civil Division, 1979-1985
Criminal Division, 1985-1991

From the Federal Judicial Center, Biographical Directory of Federal Judges.

Alabama Immigration News

HB56 Two Years Later: Settlement Takes Bite Out of Alabama's Immigration Law
Mike Carson, AL.com Blog, Nov. 3, 2013.
Alabama: Deal Reached Over Immigration Crackdown
Julia Preston, New York Times, Oct. 29, 2013.
Settlement Would Block Controversial Parts of Alabama Immigration Law
Catherine E. Shoichet and Gustavo Valdes, CNN, Oct. 29, 2013.
The Worst Parts of Alabama's Anti-Immigrant Law Are Gone Forever
Annie-Rose Strasser, Think Progress, Apr. 29, 2013.
4 Ala. Immigrants Sue for Removal from Online Listing
Brian Lyman, The Montgomery Advertiser (via USA Today), Feb. 8, 2013.
Civil Rights Coalition Files Lawsuit to Block Alabama from "Black Listing" Immigrants
ACLU Press Release, Feb. 7, 2013. [Link to the complaint, Doe v. Hobson, at the bottom of this page]
Appeals Court Denies Alabama's Request for New Hearing on Immigration Law
CNN Wire Staff, CNN, Oct. 18, 2012.
In Alabama, Legal Immigrants Wanted for Dirty Jobs
Margaret Newkirk & Gigi Douban, Bloomberg Businessweek, Oct. 4, 2012.
Alabama Immigration Law Has Surprise Result
Margaret Newkirk and Gigi Douban, Bloomberg Businessweek, Sept. 24, 2012.
Alabama Appeals Ruling on Immigration Law
CNN Wire Staff, CNN, Sept. 11, 2012.
How to Understand the Federal Court Decision Striking Down Most of Alabama's Anti-Immigrant Law
Amanda Peterson Beadle, Think Progress, Aug. 21, 2012.
Alabama Law Becomes Even More Anti-Immigrant While Doing Nothing to Create Jobs
Daniel Costa, Huffington Post, June 1, 2012.
Alabama Governor Signs Revised Anti-Illegal Immigration Law
CNN, May 18, 2012.
Alabama Governor Urges Changes to Latest Immigration Law
Campbell Robertson, New York Times, May 17, 2012.
Alabama Immigration Crackdown Prompts Farmers to Scale Back Production
Fox News Latino, May 13, 2012.
Alabama Immigration Debate Heats Up
Daniel C. Vock, Stateline (Pew Center on the States), May 7, 2012.
Feds: Ala. Immigration Law Boosts Bullying
MJ Lee, Politico, May 4, 2012.
Justice Department: Ala. Law Hurting Hispanic Students
Brian Lyman, The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser (via USA Today), May 4, 2012.
Changes to Alabama Immigration Law Approved by Panel
Fox News Latino, Apr. 18, 2012.
From Alabama to Seoul: HB 56 Fight Moves to Hyundai Shareholders Meeting
Julianne Hing, Colorlines, Mar. 16, 2012.
U.S. Appeals Court Voids 2 Parts of Ala. Immigration Law
Michael Winter, USA Today, Mar. 8, 2012.
Montgomery March To Protest Voter ID and Anti-Immigrant Laws
Annie-Rose Strasser, Think Progress, Mar. 6, 2012.
Appeals Court Defers on State Immigrations Laws
Gustavo Valdes, CNN, Mar. 1, 2012.
Alabama Immigration Law Foes Seek Automakers' Support
Joe Sutton, CNN, Feb. 28, 2012.
In Wake of Immigration Law, Some Migrants Return to Alabama
Alan Gomez, USA Today, Feb. 20, 2012.
American Kids Denied Food Stamps in Alabama Under Immigration Law
Liz Goodwin, Yahoo News, Feb. 7, 2012.
Alabama's Immigration Law to Cost State Millions in Lost Taxes, Study Says
Fox News Latino, Feb. 1, 2012.
Caught in the Net: Alabama's Immigration Law Is Proving Too Strict and Too Costly
The Economist, Jan. 28, 2012.
Alabama's Immigration Law Dividing Religious Community
Samantha Strong Murphy & Elizabeth Stuart, Deseret News, Jan. 21, 2012.
Rights Advocates Ask Automakers to Help Fight Alabama Immigration Law
Fox News Latino, Feb. 7, 2012.

Alabama Immigration News Oct-Dec 2011

Alabama's Imperiled Immigration Law Clogs Government Machinery
Margaret Newkirk, Bloomberg Businessweek, Dec. 15, 2011.
Human Rights Watch Criticizes Alabama Immigration Law
Ashley Hayes, CNN, Dec. 14, 2011.
Poor Economic Conditions in Alabama Will Get Worse with New Immigration Law
Sarah Jane Glynn, Center for American Progress, Dec. 13, 2011.
Alabama Immigration Law May Get Second Look After Big Business Backlash
Fox News Latino, Dec. 8, 2011.
Alabama Governor Admits Immigration Law Must Be Retooled
Fox News Latino, Dec. 9, 2011.
DOJ Warns Alabama Police About Expensive Consequences of Discriminating While Enforcing Immigration Law
Amanda Peterson Beadle, Think Progress, Dec. 7, 2011.
Alabama Agriculture Department Advances Plan to Replace Immigrant Workers with Prisoners
Marie Diamond, Think Progress, Dec. 6, 2011.
Second Foreign Auto Worker Hassled: Will Alabama Immigration Law Cost State?
Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, Dec. 1, 2011.
DOJ Aides Visit Alabama Over Immigration Law
Tim Mak, Politico, Nov. 28, 2011.
Black Leaders Get Closeup View of Alabama's New Jim Crow
Elon James White, Colorlines, Nov. 22, 2011.
Alabama DREAMers Speak from Detention: ICE Is "Rogue Agency"
Julianne Hing, Colorlines, Nov. 18, 2011.
SPLC, Allies Challenge Provision of Alabama Anti-Immigrant Law Denying Mobile Home License Renewals
Southern Poverty Law Center, News, Nov. 18, 2011. [Links to the complaint]
Justice Dept. in Deadlock with Alabama Over Illegal Immigration Law Intensifies
Jerry Markon, Washington Post, Nov. 17, 2011.
In Alabama, Calls for Revamping Immigration Law
Campbell Robertson, New York Times, Nov. 16, 2011.
Why Republicans Are Doing an About-Face on Tough Alabama Immigration Law
Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 16, 2011.
Alabama Immigration Laws Are Unconstitutional, U.S. Tells Appeals Court
Andrew Harris and Tom Schoenberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Nov. 15, 2011.
Immigrant Workers, Farmers Fearful in Wake of Alabama Immigration Law
Kate Snow, MSNBC, Nov. 14, 2011.
Latino Evangelicals Challenge Alabama Brethren on Immigration
Gustavo Valdes, CNN, Nov. 13, 2011.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley Says New Immigration Law Must be Simplified
Fox News Latino, Nov. 8, 2011.
Alabama's Anti-Immigrant Law Forces Attorneys to Choose Between Their Ethics and the Law
Amanda Peterson Beadle, ThinkProgress, Nov. 8, 2011.
Alabama's Attorney General Balks at Giving Feds School Data
Gustavo Valdes, CNN, Nov. 3, 2011.
DOJ Warns Alabama Schools on Immigration Law
MJ Lee, Politico, Nov. 2, 2011.
Alabama Immigration Law Doubles Latino Student Absentee Rate, Targets Supreme Court Ruling
Elizabeth Stuart, Deseret News, Nov. 1, 2011.
Alabama-lite? US Sues to Block South Carolina Illegal Immigration Law
Mark Guarino, Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 1, 2011.
Alabama Immigration Battle Mirrors Civil Rights Era
Fox News Latino, Oct. 29, 2011.
Critics See 'Chilling Effect' in Alabama Immigration Law
Campbell Robertson, New York Times, Oct. 27, 2011.
Janet Napolitano: No Help on Alabama Immigration Law
MJ Lee, Politico, Oct. 26, 2011.
Alabama Officials Say Confusion Reigns Over Immigration Law
Fox News Latino, Oct. 26, 2011.
Will Alabama's Immigration Law Cause Short-term Hiccup or Long-term Heartache?
Diane Lincoln Estes, PBS, Oct. 24, 2011.
Labor Worries Rise as Planting Season Nears in Ala.
Debbie Elliott, NPR, Oct. 24, 2011.
Families Broken Up As Immigrants Flee Alabama
Scott Finn, NPR, Oct. 24, 2011.
Anti-Illegal Immigration Bill Stokes Backlash in Alabama Fields
Mark Guarino, Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 22, 2011.
Lawsuit Challenges Alabama County Policies on Marriage Licenses
Joe Sutton, CNN, Oct. 21, 2011.
Fear in Ala. Town Over Tough Immigration Law
Rick Jervis & Alan Gomez, USA Today, Oct. 18, 2011.
Ten Things to Know About Alabama's New Immigration Law
America's Voice Blog, Oct. 18, 2011.
Alabama Immigration Law: Prove Citizenship or Lose Clean Water Supply
Ashley Portero, International Business Times, Oct. 10, 2011.
Alabama's Immigration Law Prompts Alarm
Richard Fausset, Los Angeles Times, Oct. 8, 2011.
Alabama Employer Bemoans Loss of Legal Workers Since Immigration Law Took Effect
Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News Latino, Oct. 7, 2011.
Can the Obama Administration Stop Alabama's Immigration Law?
Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 7, 2011.
Ala.: Inmates Can Replace Hispanic Farmhands
Mackenzie Weinger, Politico, Oct. 7, 2011.
School Leader: Ala. Immigration Law 'Scary' for Students
Annie McCallum Bitter, The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser, Oct. 5, 2011.
Fear and Learning in Alabama: Undocumented Students Flee
Jorge Rivas, Colorlines, Oct. 3, 2011.
After Ruling, Hispanics Flee an Alabama Town
Campbell Robertson, New York Times, Oct. 3, 2011.
Hispanics Leave School in Face of Alabama's Tough Immigration Law
Mark Guarino, Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 1, 2011.

Alabama Immigration News April-Sept. 2011

Alabama Immigration Law Leaves Schools Gripped by Uncertainty
Stacy Teicher Khadaroo, Christian Science Monitor, Sept. 30, 2011.
Alabama Police Officers Cautious With New Immigration Law
Fox News Latino, Sept. 30, 2011.
Absent from School in Alabama
ACLU Blog of Rights, Sept. 30, 2011.
Key Win for Alabama Immigrant Law
Mike Esterl & Miriam Jordan, Wall St. Journal, Sept. 29, 2011.
Profiling's Legal! Court Upholds Alabama's Immigration Law
Julianne Hing, Colorlines, Sept. 29, 2011.
Alabama Schools Will Check Immigration Status But Enroll All Students
Kim Chandler, Alabama Live, Sept. 29, 2011.
USCCB Backs Alabama Bishops' Efforts to Reverse Immigration Law
CatholicCulture.org, Sept. 9, 2011.
US Judge Blocks Harsh Alabama Immigration Law for Month of Further Review
Mark Guarino, Christian Science Monitor, Aug. 29, 2011.
Judge Temporarily Blocks Tough Alabama Immigration Law
Bill Mears, CNN, Aug. 29, 2011.
Judge Hears Arguments Challenging Alabama Immigration Law
Gustavo Valdes, CNN, Aug. 25, 2011.
Alabama Judge Casts Doubt on Harsh New Illegal Immigration Law
Mark Guarino, Christian Science Monitor, Aug. 24, 2011.
Alabama Immigration Law May Lead to Suits Over Police Checks, Judge Says
Laurence Viele Davidson, Bloomberg News, Aug. 24, 2011.
Bishops Criticize Tough Alabama Immigration Law
Campbell Robertson, New York Times, Aug. 13, 2011.
Groups seek to block tough Alabama immigration law
AP, July 22, 2011.
Alabama Churches Mobilize Against Harsh Anti-Illegal Immigration Law
Fox News Latino, July 11, 2011.
ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Alabama Immigration Law
Zach Zagger, Jurist's Paper Chase, July 8, 2011.
Hispanics Flee from New Alabama Immigration Law
Reid J. Epstein, Politico, June 29, 2011.
Birmingham City Council Unanimously Votes to Condemn Alabama's Immigration Law
Fox News Latino, June 28, 2011.
ACLU to File Lawsuit Challenging Alabama's New Anti-Immigrant Law
ACLU Press Release, June 9, 2011.
Alabama Governor Signs Tough New Immigration Law
CNN Wire Staff, CNN, June 9, 2011.
Alabama House Passes SB 1070-Inspired Bill
Julianne Hing, Colorlines, Apr. 7, 2011.

Doe v. Hobson

Filed in the U.S. District Court, Alabama Middle District (Montgomery), Case # 2:13-cv-00079.

For an overview of the lawsuit, see the ACLU's Feb. 7, 2013 press release.
Briefing Order (Feb. 28, 2013): Motion to Dismiss/Summary Judgment due on Mar. 28, 2013; Plaintiffs' Response on or before Mar. 21, 2013; Defendants' Reply Brief on or before Mar. 28, 2013.

Documentary: Is This Alabama?

Directed By Chris Weitz. A project of Center for American Progress, America's Voice and Define American.

Is This Alabama?
Links to 4 videos: The Two Faces of Alabama, What Alabama Knows About Civil Rights, Not the Kind of Alabama I Want, and An Alabama Mother Speaks.
'Is This Alabama?' Documentary Pushes for HB 56 Immigration Law Repeal
Elise Foley & Cristina Costantini, Huffington Post, Feb. 15, 2012.

Central Alabama Fair Housing Center v. Julie Magee

Filed on Nov. 18, 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division.

The Complaint, Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, and Memo in Support of Temporary Restraining Order are linked on the SPLC's Case Docket page.

Quick Links

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Office of the Governor of Alabama Robert Bentley
State of Alabama
Alabama State Legislature
Alabama Legislative Information System Online (ALISON)
Click on "Click Here to Visit ALISON" to search bills, resolutions, reports, the Code of Alabama, and the Alabama Constitution. May select legislative session (top left-hand corner), from regular session 2000 to current session.
ACLU of Alabama
ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
Southern Poverty Law Center
National Immigration Law Center
LatinoJustice PRLDEF
National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)
Asian Law Caucus
Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)

Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act

2011 HB 56 (An Act relating to Illegal Immigration)
As passed by the Alabama Legislature. 72-page PDF.

About HB 56

Legislative Detail: AL House Bill 56 - Regular Session 2011
Via e-Lobbyist; includes summary, sponsors, texts, and votes.

Online Reports & Articles

Alabama Settlement Marks Near End of a Chapter in State Immigration Enforcement Activism
Muzaffar Chishti and Faye Hipsman, MPI, Nov. 14, 2013.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished? Alabama's New Immigration Law -- A Threat to Conservative Values
Elizabeth Rieser-Murphy & Kathryn DeMarco (University of Miami -- University of Miami Law Review), Sept. 13, 2011. Abstract available only.
No Way to Live: Alabama's Immigrant law
Human Rights Watch, Dec. 2011. [57-page PDF]