Press-Register (Editorial): SINCE ITS passage, Alabama's new immigration law has produced one sorry side effect after another -- the most recent being last week's arrest of a Mercedes-Benz executive who was visiting the German automaker's plant near Tuscaloosa.
As events have unfolded, it has become clear that the unintended consequences have far eclipsed the good that the bill might have been intended to do.
Thank goodness for some Republican leaders in the Senate who have the courage to acknowledge that the law has problems -- and also the fortitude to try to fix them.
Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, who is compiling a package of amendments, put it this way: "I made some mistakes in voting for the bill as it was, and I'm big enough to admit it."
Other legislators need to join him in overhauling the law.
It should help that Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, is the new head of the powerful Senate Rules Committee. He took the place of the flawed bill's inflexible sponsor, Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, who last week was removed from the chairmanship.
In addition to creating the potential for inappropriate arrests, the law adds a legal-resident verification -- an extra step -- to every transaction between the people and their state and local governments. Because it's now necessary to verify the legal residence of everyone applying for tags, for example, lines at courthouses have grown long.
Meanwhile, educators are stymied at how to verify the legal status of their students.
Another unintended consequence of the legislation has to do with professional licensing boards, who now must verify the status of applicants the first time they apply and at each renewal.
As events have unfolded, it has become clear that the unintended consequences have far eclipsed the good that the bill might have been intended to do.
Thank goodness for some Republican leaders in the Senate who have the courage to acknowledge that the law has problems -- and also the fortitude to try to fix them.
Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, who is compiling a package of amendments, put it this way: "I made some mistakes in voting for the bill as it was, and I'm big enough to admit it."
Other legislators need to join him in overhauling the law.
It should help that Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, is the new head of the powerful Senate Rules Committee. He took the place of the flawed bill's inflexible sponsor, Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, who last week was removed from the chairmanship.
In addition to creating the potential for inappropriate arrests, the law adds a legal-resident verification -- an extra step -- to every transaction between the people and their state and local governments. Because it's now necessary to verify the legal residence of everyone applying for tags, for example, lines at courthouses have grown long.
Meanwhile, educators are stymied at how to verify the legal status of their students.
Another unintended consequence of the legislation has to do with professional licensing boards, who now must verify the status of applicants the first time they apply and at each renewal.
The Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners, for instance, does 75 to 80 percent of its renewals online, and at present doesn't have a way to verify residency electronically.
Boards are willing to do what they can, but the burden is enormous, considering the many professionals -- from cosmetologists to psychologists -- who must obtain licenses to work.
You can bet that this won't be the last unintended consequence of Alabama-s immigration law, and that the Mercedes executive won't be the only foreign business person to be hauled off to jail in the coming months.
We urge legislators, when they convene early next year, to rework the law in a way that gives it more focus and puts an end to the problems that are cropping up.
Then maybe Alabama can be known for having leaders who are willing to set aside their pride and admit when they're wrong, for the good of the state.
Boards are willing to do what they can, but the burden is enormous, considering the many professionals -- from cosmetologists to psychologists -- who must obtain licenses to work.
You can bet that this won't be the last unintended consequence of Alabama-s immigration law, and that the Mercedes executive won't be the only foreign business person to be hauled off to jail in the coming months.
We urge legislators, when they convene early next year, to rework the law in a way that gives it more focus and puts an end to the problems that are cropping up.
Then maybe Alabama can be known for having leaders who are willing to set aside their pride and admit when they're wrong, for the good of the state.
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