SB541 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott Beason

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Immigration law, provision barring unlawfully present alien from attending postsecondary school clarified, documentation for lawful presence, military identification authorized, business transaction procedures and citizenship and lawful presence verification, procedures modified, Secs. 31-13-3, 31-13-5, 31-13-6, 31-13-8, 31-13-9, 31-13-11, 31-13-13, 31-13-15, 31-13-19, 31-13-20, 31-13-23, 31-13-26, 31-13-28, 31-13-29, 32-6-9 am'd; Act 2011-535, 2011 Reg. Sess., am'd

Summary

SB541 strengthens Alabama's Beason-Hammon immigration law by expanding lawful-presence verification, restricting unauthorized aliens from education and certain state processes, and widening enforcement and penalties, while adjusting local funding rules.

What This Bill Does

It requires use of federal verification (E-Verify) for employees and contractors, with penalties including contract termination and possible suspension or revocation of licenses for violations. It bars aliens not lawfully present from enrolling in public postsecondary institutions and directs schools to rely on federal verification rather than making independent status determinations. It expands enforcement mechanisms, adds civil penalties and reporting requirements, and increases coordination between state agencies and federal immigration authorities. It also tightens voter registration by requiring proof of United States citizenship and sets up a system for verifying citizenship evidence before registration.

Who It Affects

• Unauthorized aliens would be barred from enrolling in public postsecondary education and could face state enforcement actions; their immigration status would be verified through federal systems, with consequences for noncompliance.
• Employers, contractors, and subcontractors doing business with the state or its subdivisions would must enroll in and use E-Verify to confirm employee eligibility; violations could lead to contract terminations, license suspensions or revocations, and fines.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms (ALIEN, EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYER, E-VERIFY, CONTRACTOR, SUBCONTRACTOR) and requires verification of immigration status for new hires using E-Verify, with the Secretary of State adopting related rules.
• Section 31-13-8 prohibits unlawfully present aliens from enrolling in or attending public postsecondary institutions; requires enrollment status verification via federal verification (1373) and restricts schools from independently determining eligibility.
• Section 31-13-9 imposes conditions for contracts, grants, or incentives awarded by the state or state-funded entities; bidders must demonstrate enrollment in E-Verify and verify employees during performance; subcontractors must also enroll and attest compliance.
• Section 31-13-11 and 31-13-13 increase enforcement tools, including criminal penalties for harboring or transporting unlawfully present aliens, and authorize civil actions by the Attorney General or district attorneys to enforce provisions, with penalties for violations.
• Section 31-13-15 creates a tiered system of contractual remedies, including termination, probation, and suspension of business licenses for first and subsequent violations; it also requires sworn affidavits and periodic reporting on new hires during probation.
• Section 31-13-28 and 31-13-29 add strict voter eligibility checks, requiring evidence of United States citizenship for voter registration, process through the State Election Board, hearings, possible appeals, and penalties if documentation is falsified or insufficient.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Immigration Law