HB7 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 17, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ernie YarbroughRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Illegal immigration; procedures for arrest, detention, transportation of illegal aliens provided for; reporting requirements established
Summary: HB7, the Laken Riley Act, lets state and local law enforcement partner with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws and sets procedures for arrest, detention, transport, and reporting of illegal aliens in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes memorandums of understanding between state/local agencies and federal bodies (like DOJ, DHS, and other agencies) to enforce federal immigration laws and handle detention, removal, and investigation of illegal aliens. It allows officers to arrest individuals suspected of being illegal aliens and to transport them to federal custody under approved arrangements, and it requires standard intake and booking procedures for illegal aliens in county or municipal jails. It requires jails to honor immigration detainer requests in certain circumstances, verify inmates’ lawful status, notify ICE and consular authorities as required, and provide quarterly reports on foreign nationals. It also places limits on detention time (generally 48 hours unless a federal warrant signed by a federal judge is involved) and provides immunity for good-faith enforcement actions.

Who It Affects
State and local law enforcement agencies: can enter MOUs with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws, arrest suspected illegal aliens, transport them to federal custody, and share immigration status information for public safety.
County and municipal jails and jail staff: must follow standard intake/booking procedures for illegal aliens and foreign nationals, honor detainer requests in specified situations, verify lawful status, notify ICE and consulates, and report data on foreign nationals quarterly.
Foreign nationals and illegal aliens in Alabama custody: may be subject to immigration status verification, detention under federal detainer/authorization, and potential transfer to federal custody; have procedures for consular notification and documentation verification.
Federal agencies (DOJ, DHS, ICE, and related entities): may be involved through MOUs to coordinate enforcement, detention, and removal of illegal aliens and share status information.

Key Provisions
Creates the Laken Riley Act, establishing Article 2 with definitions for foreign national, illegal alien, immigration detainer, jail staff, and LESC.
Allows state and local agencies to enter memorandums of understanding with federal agencies (DOJ, DHS, and others) to enforce federal immigration laws and manage detention, removal, and investigation of illegal aliens and immigration status.
Authorizes arrests of individuals suspected to be illegal aliens and permits transport to federal custody under authorized arrangements; establishes standard intake and booking procedures in county/municipal jails.
Requires county/municipal jails to honor immigration detainer requests in certain circumstances and to prepare/maintain records on foreign nationals, including regular reporting.
Imposes a 48-hour detention limit under immigration detainers/warrants unless a federal judge signs the warrant; requires consular notification and documentary verification for detainees.
Requires verification of lawful status using documents (I-94, visa, passport with visa, etc.) and, if needed, contact with LESC or ICE for status determinations; permits release if status cannot be verified and no federal authorization to detain exists.
Mandates jail staff to notify ICE of inmates identified as illegal aliens and to maintain records of communications with ICE; requires interpreters to assist with booking when language barriers exist.
Requires quarterly reports by jails on foreign nationals and detainer activity, and annual posting of this information on the jail’s website through the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
Provides immunity from damages for officers acting in good faith to enforce immigration laws under federal agreements.
Effective date: June 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Criminal Procedure