While supporters of Alabama’s new restrictive immigration enforcement
legislation believe it is ultimately a jobs creation program for U.S.
citizens, many economic advisors are now publicly stating that the law
will harm the state’s economic health. The law, which is scheduled to
take effect September 1, 2011, will, according to key economists, put
the stigma of the 1960s back on Alabama.
According to the U.S Census Bureau, up to 54,000 Hispanics work in
Alabama, about 2.7 percent of the state’s total workforce. The majority
of Hispanics work in construction, manufacturing and production. It is
feared that Alabama will feel the same negative consequences that other
states with restrictive legislations (such as Arizona) have felt. With
an already weakened economy, many economists fear the blowback from this
law will have grave consequences.
