HB 7 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Illegal immigration; procedures for arrest, detention, transportation of illegal aliens provided for; reporting requirements established

HB 7, known as the Laken Riley Act, establishes procedures for state and local law enforcement agencies concerning illegal immigration. It permits these agencies to enter agreements with federal authorities to enforce federal immigration laws and outlines guidelines for the arrest, detention, and transportation of individuals identified as "illegal aliens." The bill requires county and municipal jails to make reasonable efforts to determine a confined person's nationality and contact federal agencies like ICE for status verification. Jails must also honor immigration detainer requests for up to 48 hours in specific circumstances and report information regarding foreign nationals.

Issues: ✗ Immigration

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jul 8, 2024 Last action May 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 17, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was updated from its introduced version to an engrossed version, incorporating substantive changes to Alabama's immigration enforcement framework. The engrossed version expands the scope of law enforcement cooperation with federal agencies, clarifies definitions, and adds new provisions for transporting illegal aliens to federal custody while maintaining immunity protections for officers acting in good faith.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include broader authority for state and local law enforcement agencies to enter into memorandums of understanding with federal agencies for immigration enforcement purposes, and added specific procedures for transporting illegal aliens to federal facilities.

DEFINITION

Added comprehensive definitions for key terms including 'Foreign National', 'ICE', 'Illegal Alien', 'Immigration Detainer Request', 'Jail Staff', and 'LESC' to clarify the bill's application.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions allow law enforcement officers to transport illegal aliens to federal facilities and detain them when authorized by federal law.

New immunity provisions protect law enforcement officers and government officials from liability when acting in good faith to enforce immigration laws pursuant to federal agreements.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for state agencies to consider incentive programs and grant funding to assist local agencies in entering agreements with federal entities.

Expanded the scope of employees required to handle immigration information to include prosecuting attorneys, not just general government employees.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Judiciary)

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 883

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 882

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Judiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered (Judiciary)

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Second Committee House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Introduced

Judiciary 1st Amendment (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Introduced

Public Safety and Homeland Security 1st Amendment (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors