‘Show me your papers’ immigration law now in effect in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Senate Bill 53, criticized by the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice as a “show me your papers” law, is now in effect as of October 1, 2025.

The bill requires local law enforcement to make a “reasonable attempt” to determine the citizenship status of someone during a traffic stop or detention when there is a “reasonable suspicion” the person is an illegal alien. If the suspected individual does not show certain documentation then local law enforcement are required to call federal immigration officials. The bill also creates the state crime of “human smuggling,” which makes it a crime to knowingly transport someone in the country illegally.

Jeremy Love, the Managing Attorney for Love Immigration Law Firm, said there are guidelines surrounding the anti-harboring law.

“Someone can’t be stopped just because they’re suspected to be here without lawful status. There has to be a lawful stop made,” said Love.

Love said people who find themselves in a situation where the bill is used can exercise their rights.

“When someone is stopped, they’re not required to answer any questions about immigration status and can also request to speak with an attorney before being interrogated or asked any other questions. Besides giving basic information, such as name, the person doesn’t need to answer any other questions. They’re not required to do so,” said Love.

In February, SB53 sponsor, State Senator Wes Kitchens spoke to CBS 42 about the need for the bill, along with SB63, which requires police to collect DNA from people in the U.S. unlawfully.

“We went to the southern border back in September and so there were so many things. We met with people from Texas, we met with a sheriff from Arizona, and a lot of these ideas came from that trip where we were able to see the hands-on with what’s happening at the border, but then what carries over into our state, and that’s what we’re trying to correct,” said Sen. Kitchens.

Micaela Oer with the Alabama Coalition of Immigrant Justice said she’s concerned with the law.

Oer said now that the anti-immigration laws are in effect she says ACIJ is planning to advocate for those impacted.

“The part that’s a little bit scary is that there’s really no definition of what a reasonable suspicion is,” said Oer. “This law has already gone into effect and so, just trying to see is there another avenue to try to stop this law and others like it.”