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Migrant controversy hits heartland as Alabama council meeting boils over, state officials slam feds' 'mess'

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Migrant controversy hits heartland as Alabama council meeting boils over, state officials slam feds' 'mess'


Residents of a small Alabama city were up in arms at the migrant influx during a recent city council hearing that lawmakers suddenly cut short amid the outcry.

Meanwhile, state leaders demanded answers from the feds as the migrants appear to be in the country legally under Temporary Protective Status provisions extended to Haitian nationals by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

In Sylacauga, just south of NASCAR’s Talladega Superspeedway, City Council President Tiffany Nix abruptly curtailed public comment as residents demanded accountability for the at least 50 migrants that appeared in the city.

“We’re done,” Nix responded to resident David Phillips, who had criticized council’s attitude as “entirely unacceptable” during the meeting last week.

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“[Haiti is] a failed state – their president (Jovenel Moise) was assassinated in 2021 – there is no way the State Department can vet these individuals,” Phillips said before Nix cut in as another resident called out, “Please let him talk.”

MIGRANT CRISIS ROILS BOSTON AREA AS SCHOOL STANDS FIRM ON RESIDENCY POLICY

Nix then made a motion to adjourn the meeting and ordered the gallery cleared.

“This is our city,” a woman in the gallery said. “Good to know, they don’t want to hear the truth,” another said.

Another resident wondered aloud how local schools will be able to handle the new migrants, noting that financial resources would be needed for children that only speak French-Creole and not English.

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Amid the murmuring, Nix could be heard asking, “What would you like us to do?”

Earlier in the meeting, Nix said there is no reason to launch a municipal investigation and that people should not treat others “differently because of how they look.”

State Rep. Benjamin Robbins, who represents the city, wrote a letter Thursday to Mayorkas, demanding a federal response.

“As the secretary of Homeland Security, you are charged with overseeing immigration enforcement and refugee resettlement,” he wrote.

“Recently, my district has seen an influx of Haitian immigrants. You and your agency have failed in your responsibility to notify our community of the relocation of refugees, provide any information to local leaders or answer questions.”

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Robbins said the situation has caused “panic and confusion” and left local leaders “helpless.” Robbins said he would demand Congress investigate if DHS does nothing.

Sylacauga Mayor Jim Heigl separately told Alabama’s 1819 News that information the migrants were in his city legally “came out from [Gov. Kay Ivey’s] office and also came from Mike Rogers’ office, [Sen.] Katie Britt’s office and [Sen. Tommy] Tuberville’s office.

BIDEN’S LATEST BORDER ORDER MAY EMBOLDEN MIGRANTS TO FLOUT IMMIGRATION LAWS, COMMIT MARRIAGE FRAUD CRITICS SAY

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt/File)

Rogers, the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, called the situation in his district “yet another example of the Biden-Harris administration’s moronic immigration policy failures.”

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“Those two never cease to amaze me with their total incompetence and outright antagonism toward hardworking Americans. The way to fix this is to re-elect President Trump,” Rogers said.

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter added his biggest concern is the lack of information from the feds on the migrants already inside the state.

“We have asked repeatedly,” said Ledbetter, R-Rainsville. “Once they are here, communities like Sylacauga and Albertville are left to deal with the disaster. Our schools don’t have the ESL resources to support the immigrant children, housing these people is an issue, crime is an issue, and the federal government has offered zero support whatsoever.”

Tuberville told Fox News Digital the feds are abusing their parole authority, which he said is supposed to be used sparingly and only for humanitarian purposes.

Instead, he said the administration is using it as a tool of “mass amnesty to millions of people.”

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“We have no idea who most of these people are,” Tuberville said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the city and was directed to Nix’s email but did not receive a response.

Meanwhile, in Montgomery, state Senate President Pro-Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, said Monday the Biden administration has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to “pour in” and cause a crisis.

“The immigration catastrophe they have … openly incentivized is hitting home right now for Americans across the country, including right here in Alabama,” he said.

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Immigrants line up at a remote U.S. Border Patrol processing center after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on Dec. 7, 2023, in Lukeville, Ariz. (John Moore/Getty Images)

“Alabama officials are prepared to use the tools at our disposal to clean up the mess and confusion their reckless policies have created,” Reed went on, adding that the crisis in Sylacauga emphasizes the importance of the presidential election.

A spokesperson for Ivey responded to a question about the mayor’s comments by saying her office has not received any facts or communications from the feds or to local officials on the matter.

“Separately though, Alabamians and Americans all over the country are rightfully concerned over the current Biden-Harris pro-illegal immigration policies. No doubt this is a contributing factor to the concerns of people in Sylacauga and other areas,” Gina Maiola said.

“People are on high alert. Gov. Ivey will continue taking action to enforce the law, doing everything in Alabama’s authority to secure the U.S. southern border and protecting our citizens from the harmful effects of illegal immigration.”

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DHS did not respond to a request for comment for this story. 



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Former Alabama wide receiver on pace to go from good to ‘truly elite’ in the upcoming NFL season

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Former Alabama wide receiver on pace to go from good to ‘truly elite’ in the upcoming NFL season




Jameson Williams has an opportunity to have the best year of his young NFL career during the upcoming NFL season, according to the Detroit Lions’ wide receiver coach Scottie Montgomery. Williams is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

The former Alabama wideout is now looking to become a premier receiving threat in 2026, and Montgomery can see the step to becoming elite happening for Williams.

“We’ve worked very hard this preseason, even talking on the phone about the details needed to go from being a good player to being truly elite in our sport,” Montgomery said, according to MLive’s Kory Woods. “And then, from a mental standpoint, the way we work, not just at the beginning of a drill, but also at the end. Everything we do, his details, his vision, his catch points, his control points, everything we’re doing now, we did it in March and April, and it showed. We’re very excited about his current level. Without a doubt, this has been his best preseason, his best opportunity to grow as a player since we’ve been here for several reasons, but he’s done a good job.”

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Williams is set to enter his fifth season in the NFL with the Lions.

The Lions have benefitted from back-to-back impressive seasons for Williams. He finished last season with 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns on 65 receptions.







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Former Alabama Inmate Arrested After Allegedly Flying Drone with Contraband Toward Prison

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Former Alabama Inmate Arrested After Allegedly Flying Drone with Contraband Toward Prison


A former Alabama inmate is facing multiple charges after authorities say he was caught flying a drone carrying contraband toward Holman Correctional Facility.

According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, the agency’s Southern K-9 unit received information around 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27, that someone was operating a drone from Interstate 65 toward the prison.

With assistance from the Atmore Police Department, officers located and arrested Edward Knight, a former inmate, without incident.

Investigators said the drone had a package attached, which was safely brought down and confiscated.

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Knight was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and two counts of illegal drone operation.

During the investigation, ADOC agents said they learned Knight had additional contraband at his residence in Birmingham. Investigators with the department’s Law Enforcement Services Division, K-9 unit and narcotics team later executed a search warrant at the home and seized additional evidence related to the case.

The investigation remains ongoing, and ADOC said additional charges could be filed.



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Alabama under first heat advisory of the season as officials urge residents to take precautions

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Alabama under first heat advisory of the season as officials urge residents to take precautions


SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – Alabama is under its first heat advisory of the season as dangerously high temperatures and humidity combine to push heat index values into the triple digits.

The National Weather Service issued the advisory as conditions increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, and anyone who works or spends extended time outdoors.

Selma Fire Chief Walter Dailey says it doesn’t take long to feel the effects of the extreme heat.

“It’s hot,” Dailey said after spending just a few minutes outside. “I’m sweating. I can feel it running down my back.”

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For firefighters, the dangers are even greater. Dailey says crews often respond to emergencies while wearing nearly 150 pounds of protective gear, causing them to lose significant amounts of fluids in a short period of time.

“In the first 30 minutes, we’re able to sweat out about four or five gallons of actual fluids from our bodies,” he said. “So hydration is extremely important for us.”

Even though the temperatures are soaring, emergency calls don’t stop. Dailey says firefighters continue responding to structure fires, grass fires and other emergencies while adjusting their daily routines when possible to limit unnecessary time outdoors during the hottest parts of the day.

He warns that heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop much faster than many people realize.

“Heat exhaustion is serious business,” Dailey said. “It happens in a matter of minutes.”

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Tips to stay safe during extreme heat

Dailey encourages residents to:

  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day instead of waiting until you feel thirsty.
  • Replace fluids and electrolytes if you are working or exercising outdoors.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing.
  • Take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned building.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, generally between late morning and early evening when possible.
  • Check on older neighbors, relatives and anyone who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
  • Never leave children or pets unattended inside a parked vehicle, even for a short amount of time. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly within minutes.

What if your home doesn’t have air conditioning?

For people living in homes without air conditioning, officials recommend spending as much time as possible in cooler public places such as libraries, community centers, shopping malls or other designated cooling locations during the hottest hours of the day.

Closing blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight, using fans to improve airflow, limiting the use of ovens and other heat-producing appliances, and drinking water frequently can also help reduce the risk of heat-related illness.

If someone begins experiencing heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness or stops sweating despite the heat, move them to a cooler location immediately, provide water if they are alert, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

As temperatures remain dangerously high, Dailey says one of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they feel thirsty.

“At the point you’re already sweating, if you’re not drinking, you’re already behind on being hydrated,” he said.

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