This past Wednesday Alabama captured the nation’s attention when a federal district judge ruled on the state's controversial immigration law, HB 56. "This is an Arizona bill with an Alabama twist," Alabama Rep. Micky Hammon, one of the bill’s co-authors stated.

A number of provisions make the Alabama law the strictest immigration legislation in the country.  The law upheld by U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn contains such hotly contended provisions as:

• Public school officials are required to check the immigration status of students
• Nullification of any contracts entered into by an undocumented person 
• Arizona's "reasonable suspicion" clause which grants law enforcement the authority to check the status of people they have “reasonable suspicion” of being undocumented and can detain suspected undocumented persons
  
  

Similar legislation in Utah, Indiana and Georgia has been blocked by federal judges.  As other states fight for enactment of immigration law similar to Alabama's, how should the meetings and events industry respond?  We’d like to hear your thoughts.

Associate Professor Tyra Hilliard from the University of Alabama recently conducted a WEC session which included the topic of state immigration law.  For information and updates on legislation and industry advocacy, stay tuned to PlusPoint and Engage.