Immigration Arrests Double in Alabama as Sheriff Deputies Join Federal Enforcement

At the heart of this transformation is the expansion of 287(g) agreements, which deputize local law enforcement to perform immigration enforcement functions. Currently, 13 Alabama counties and the municipality of Level Plains in Dale County participate in these federal partnerships.

Chris Cannon, an assistant field officer in ICE's New Orleans office, recently addressed Alabama sheriffs at a conference in Orange Beach, explicitly stating the federal government's goal: "We want to make one of your deputies, and maybe more of them, mini-immigration officers." He emphasized that with only four offices and 25 employees statewide, ICE depends heavily on local partnerships to meet enforcement goals.

The Trump administration has set an aggressive national target of 3,000 daily arrests and plans to expand ICE's annual budget from $8 billion to approximately $28 billion, while adding 10,000 more federal agents nationwide.

Who Is Being Arrested?

Federal data shows that among those detained in Alabama since January 2025:

• 1,095 people have pending criminal charges
• 596 are convicted criminals
• The majority are men

Mexican nationals comprise the largest group at 853 arrests, followed by Guatemalans. However, those detained represent a diverse array of nationalities, including citizens from Romania, Venezuela, Jamaica, Laos, and India.

Huey "Hoss" Mack, head of the Alabama Sheriffs Association, maintains that most arrests involve felony offenders, including those who have illegally reentered after deportation—itself a felony offense. However, immigration attorney Freddy Rubio challenges this characterization, noting that even minor traffic violations technically count as crimes in enforcement statistics.

Regional Impact and Enforcement Actions

The Mobile area has seen the highest number of arrests, though enforcement has intensified statewide. This week alone, federal agents conducted raids across six Alabama counties, targeting multiple businesses in an operation related to alleged money laundering and human smuggling. The raids resulted in 40 arrests and demonstrated the expanding scope of enforcement operations.

Immigration advocates note that certain industries remain largely untouched despite employing significant numbers of undocumented workers. Rubio pointed to north Alabama's chicken processing plants as an example, suggesting that enforcement appears selective rather than comprehensive.

Deportations and Removals Increase

Alongside arrests, removals from the country have also increased significantly. So far in 2025, Alabama has seen:

• 1,430 total removals
• 352 formal deportations
• 87 voluntary departures

Notably, about 30 immigrants were sent to countries other than their citizenship, primarily Venezuelans deported to Guatemala or Mexico following the revocation of their protected status earlier this year.

Legal Representation Crisis

The surge in arrests has exposed a critical shortage of legal representation for immigrants facing deportation proceedings. According to Syracuse University data, only 24% of Alabama residents in immigration court have an attorney—significantly lower than many other states. This lack of representation can dramatically affect case outcomes and the ability to navigate complex immigration laws.

Community Impact and Concerns

The dramatic increase in enforcement has created widespread fear in immigrant communities across Alabama. Families report avoiding essential services, including medical care and interaction with law enforcement, even when they are crime victims. This climate of fear extends beyond undocumented immigrants to mixed-status families and legal residents who worry about being caught up in enforcement actions.

Business owners, particularly in industries that have historically relied on immigrant labor, face uncertainty about workforce stability. The recent raids on restaurants and other businesses have sent shockwaves through these sectors, with some reporting difficulty finding workers as employees fear showing up for their shifts.

Law Enforcement Perspectives

Local law enforcement officials express varying views on their expanded role in immigration enforcement. Some sheriffs embrace the partnerships as necessary for public safety, while others worry about the impact on community policing efforts.

The concern among some law enforcement professionals is that immigration enforcement duties may compromise their ability to investigate crimes and maintain trust within immigrant communities. When residents fear any interaction with police could lead to deportation, they become less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations.

Resource Allocation and Challenges

Despite the budget increases and hiring plans, immigration attorneys and advocates question whether the system can handle the dramatic increase in arrests. Rubio notes that detention facilities are already strained and doubts that staffing shortages will be resolved quickly, stating, "To deport people, you need agents."

The federal government acknowledges these challenges, with officials citing the small ICE presence in Alabama as a primary reason for expanding local partnerships. However, critics argue this approach essentially conscripts local resources for federal immigration enforcement, potentially at the expense of local public safety priorities.

Looking Ahead

As federal immigration enforcement continues to expand in Alabama, communities across the state must grapple with the consequences. The administration's commitment to maintaining and expanding these enforcement efforts suggests that high arrest numbers will continue through 2025 and beyond.

For Alabama's immigrant communities, the message is clear: the enforcement landscape has fundamentally changed. The combination of expanded local partnerships, increased federal resources, and aggressive enforcement targets has created an environment where any interaction with law enforcement carries potential immigration consequences.

Understanding these changes and knowing one's rights becomes crucial for all residents, regardless of immigration status. As enforcement continues to evolve, staying informed and prepared remains the best defense for vulnerable communities across Alabama.