Alabama's Laken Riley Act: What HB 13 Means for You

Alabama's immigration landscape is changing. With the introduction of House Bill 13, known as the Laken Riley Act, state and local law enforcement agencies now have a clear legal framework to actively participate in federal immigration enforcement. If you or someone you love lives, works, or was arrested in Alabama, understanding this law is essential.

What Is Alabama House Bill 13?

Introduced on January 13, 2026, during Alabama's 2026 Regular Legislative Session, House Bill 13 creates what is formally known as the Laken Riley Act. The bill is named after Laken Riley, a nursing student murdered on the University of Georgia campus in 2024. Her accused killer had previously been detained for being in the country unlawfully but was released before the crime occurred. The bill's stated goal is to prevent similar situations by strengthening cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

Sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity) and 14 co-sponsors, HB 13 passed the House Judiciary Committee on a voice vote and was placed on the House calendar for a full vote on January 29, 2026. If passed into law, the act becomes effective June 1, 2026.

Key Provisions of the Laken Riley Act

Local Police Can Now Enter Immigration Enforcement Agreements

Under HB 13, state and local law enforcement agencies are permitted to enter into formal agreements—known as memoranda of understanding (MOUs)—with federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These agreements authorize local officers to help enforce federal immigration laws, including the detention, removal, and investigation of individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully.

This is a significant expansion. Previously, only the Alabama Attorney General could enter such agreements with federal agencies. Now, individual police departments and sheriff's offices across the state—including those in North Alabama cities like Sheffield and Florence—can pursue this authority directly.

It's worth noting that ICE's 287(g) program already delegates immigration enforcement duties to local agencies. According to AL.com reporting, approximately 50 police and sheriff departments in Alabama had existing 287(g) agreements at the time the bill was introduced. HB 13 expands and formalizes the legal basis for even more local agencies to join.

Arrests Based on Probable Cause

A law enforcement officer acting under an approved agreement may arrest any individual suspected of being an illegal alien, provided there is probable cause. The bill's supporters argue this standard protects against racial profiling, though critics—including Democratic legislators who questioned the bill in committee—raised concerns that it could still lead to people being stopped based on the way they look or speak.

Mandatory Jail Procedures for Foreign Nationals

One of the most detailed sections of HB 13 concerns county and municipal jails. Once the law takes effect, jail staff will be required to:

• Make a reasonable effort to determine the immigration status of every person booked into custody

• Contact the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC)—a division of the Department of Homeland Security—if an inmate cannot provide documentation of lawful status

• Request that the LESC automatically notify ICE if an inmate is determined to be in the country unlawfully

• Maintain a record of all communications with ICE in each inmate's file

Immigration Detainers Must Be Honored

If ICE issues an immigration detainer request for a person in county or municipal custody, the jail must comply with and fulfill that request—unless the inmate can prove U.S. citizenship (for example, with an Alabama driver's license or federal government ID).

Importantly, detainees can only be held for up to 48 hours under an immigration detainer. After that window, if ICE has not taken custody and no judge-signed warrant has been received, the inmate becomes eligible for release. An immigration warrant signed by an immigration official—rather than a federal judge or magistrate—is treated only as a detainer under this law.

No Detention Based on Status Alone

The bill includes a notable protection: an individual cannot be detained solely on the basis of immigration status unless ICE or the LESC provides specific written instructions to do so. An inmate also cannot be held solely because after-hours contact information is unavailable to confirm their status.

Public Reporting Requirements

Jails will be required to prepare and publish quarterly public reports that include:

• Total number of inmates booked

• Number of foreign national inmates

• Number of immigration status inquiries made to LESC or ICE

• Number of detainer requests received

• Information about lawful entry dates and visa types where applicable

This data must also be reported annually to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which will post it publicly on its website.

Immunity for Officers Acting in Good Faith

Officers and public employees who enforce immigration laws in good faith—under a valid federal agreement—are protected from personal liability under HB 13.

What This Means for Immigrants in North Alabama

The practical effect of HB 13 is that local law enforcement in cities like Sheffield, Florence, and across the Tennessee Valley could soon have the same immigration enforcement powers as agencies operating under federal 287(g) agreements. For immigrants living in North Alabama—documented or undocumented—encounters with local police may carry additional risks that weren't present before.

If you are arrested or detained in Alabama and you are a foreign national, what you say and do in those first moments matters enormously. Jail staff will be asking questions about your immigration status. They will contact federal databases. And if ICE issues a detainer, you may be held beyond your release date.

Your Rights Under the Law

Even under HB 13, critical legal protections remain in place:

• You cannot be detained based on immigration status alone without written instructions from ICE or LESC

• You must be informed if an immigration detainer has been issued against you

• You have the right to contact your country's consulate if you are a foreign national in custody

• The law explicitly states it does not limit or abridge any right under the Alabama Constitution of 2022 or the U.S. Constitution

Facing Immigration Issues in Alabama? We Can Help.

HB 13 represents one of the most significant shifts in local immigration enforcement Alabama has seen in years. The legal questions it raises—about probable cause, detainer compliance, and what happens during and after an arrest—are serious ones with real consequences for real families.

At La Raza Legal, our Sheffield immigration lawyers understand the fear and uncertainty that comes with navigating this legal environment. We provide compassionate, expert representation to immigrants and their families across North Alabama. From deportation defense to immigration bond hearings, we are here to protect your rights at every step.

If you have concerns about how Alabama's new immigration enforcement law may affect you, contact La Raza Legal today for a confidential consultation.