HB13 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Jan 29, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ernie YarbroughRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Illegal immigration, procedures for arrest, detention, transportation of illegal immigrants provided for; reporting requirements established
Summary: HB13 creates the Laken Riley Act to expand state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and establish new procedures for arrest, detention, transport, and reporting of immigration status in Alabama.
What This Bill Does
It would allow state and local law enforcement to enter into memoranda with federal agencies (including DOJ and DHS) to enforce federal immigration laws, detentions, removals, and related investigations. It would require jail staff to collect, verify, and share immigration status information for public safety, establish standard intake and booking procedures for illegal aliens and foreign nationals, and authorize arrests based on immigration status or federal law. It would also require jails to honor certain immigration detainer requests, notify inmates, implement time limits on detention, and provide for reporting on immigration-related activities; it would enable transport of detainees to federal custody when authorized.

Who It Affects
Foreign nationals and individuals suspected of being illegal aliens, who could be detained, questioned about immigration status, and potentially transported to federal custody under the act.
County and municipal jails, sheriffs, and local law enforcement agencies, which would adopt new intake, detainer handling, data sharing, reporting, and cooperation requirements with federal authorities.

Key Provisions
Designates the act as the Laken Riley Act and defines key terms (foreign national, illegal alien, immigration detainer, ICE, LESC).
Authorizes MOUs/agreements between state/local agencies and federal entities (DOJ, DHS, and others) to enforce federal immigration laws and manage detention/removal.
Requires jail staff to collect and verify immigration-related information, and to contact the LESC/ICE to determine immigration status when needed.
Allows arrest of individuals based on immigration status or federal immigration violations, within the scope of MOUs and federal law.
Establishes standard intake and booking procedures for illegal aliens/foreign nationals in county/municipal jails.
Requires jails to honor DHS immigration detainer requests in certain circumstances and to notify inmates about detainers.
Imposes time limits and conditions on detention related to immigration detainers (e.g., 48-hour hold unless a federal judge/m magistrate signs a warrant).
Mandates automatic notification to ICE of inmates identified as illegal aliens and requires documentation of detainer-related communications.
Provides immunity for officers acting in good faith when enforcing immigration laws under the act.
Requires quarterly and annual reporting by jails on inmate counts, foreign nationals, detainers, visa status, and related data, with information posted publicly.
Permits use of federal resources and incentives to support compliance with the act and directs consideration of funding for this purpose.
Requires verification of citizenship when applicable and outlines documentation acceptable to prove lawful status; allows release if status is confirmed or if otherwise eligible.
Effective date is June 1, 2026, with protections maintaining constitutional rights.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Criminal Procedure