The demonstration against President Trump’s immigration crackdown Wednesday night on the streets of downtown Albertville was “deeply concerning,” the dean of Alabama’s congressional delegation said Thursday.
“While I respect the right to peaceful assembly and free speech, any rhetoric that threatens or undermines the essential work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is unacceptable,” said Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, whose district includes Albertville.
During the demonstration, demonstrators condemned ICE for placing immigration detainers on undocumented migrants.
“Keep ICE out of schools,” one sign read, a reference to reports of agents conducted stings across the country.
Aderholt suggested demonizing the agency was inappropriate.
“As a staunch advocate for the rule of law and the safety of our communities, I find the recent anti-ICE protests in Albertville deeply concerning,” the congressman said Thursday.
“ICE plays a critical role in targeting violent criminals who are in the country illegally, ensuring that dangerous individuals do not pose a threat to our communities. To say that ICE won’t be tolerated in and around Albertville is a game of dangerous rhetoric.”
The congressman pointed to Trump’s first bill signing to signal that the president is “committed ot immigration enforcement.
“By making the Laken Riley Act the first bill signed under his administration, President Trump shows he is committed to immigration enforcement and seeking justice for the bereaved families of Americans lost to lawlessness at the border.”
More pro-immigrant protests were scheduled for the weekend in Blount County.
Waving American, Mexican and flags from Latin American countries — some of which were worn as capes — protesters on Wednesday night chanted, “el pueblo unido jamas sera vencido,” (the people united will never be defeated,) “nobody is illegal on stolen land” and “no one is illegal, power to the people.”
The demonstration was organized by Michelle Medina and her friends “to champion the rights of those who are hesitant to express themselves,” she wrote in a Facebook post encouraging protesters.
Vehicles honked their horns in solidarity as the protesters held signs on the sidewalk.
Some posters turned Trump’s campaign slogan against him.
“Immigrants make America great,” one of them read.
“MAGA Christianity is anti-Jesus,” read another. “What type of visa does Jesus need?” read a third.
Others advocated for the contributions immigrants make to communities.
“Albertville would be nothing without immigrants,” read one sign.
“Albertville needs immigrants,” was emblazoned on another poster.
While not directly addressing Wednesday night’s demonstration, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who represented the area near Albertville when he was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, referenced the town in a tweet Thursday supporting Trump’s immigration policies.
“I 100% support President Trump’s order to enforce immigration from Albertville, Alabama to Anchorage, Alaska and across the USA,” Ainsworth tweeted. “Illegal immigrants commit a crime when they jump our border and touch U.S. soil. If you don’t respect our borders, you don’t respect our country.”
The north Alabama city became a breeding ground for anti-immigrant sentiment after photos of Haitian migrants being bused to neighboring poultry plants circulated in August.
The photos prompted questions about who the migrants were and where they came from, leading to what city officials called “baseless accusations, and hurtful rhetoric.”
This resulted in a series of community meetings and the formation of a non-profit.
Immigrant workers have been a focus of residents’ concerns in Athens and Sylacauga, with city officials facing questions about the effect on crime, school overcrowding and housing.
