MONTGOMERY, Ala. (CN) - A federal class action claims Alabama's harsh new immigration law unconstitutionally denies state-required registration to mobile-home owners who cannot prove they are legally in the United States. The plaintiffs say Congressman Mo Brooks personified his state's animus against undocumented immigrants, saying, "As your congressman, on the House floor, I will do anything short of shooting them."
The class claims the law denies essential housing services to Alabamans and violates federal housing and immigration policies.
Named plaintiffs, the Central Alabama Fair Housing Center, the Fair Housing Center of Northern Alabama, the Center for Fair Housing and two John Does, sued Alabama Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee and Elmore County Revenue Commissioner William Harper, in Federal Court.
The Does sued on behalf of all Alabama residents who own mobile homes and lack proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status, with a subclass of Latino homeowners.
Under Alabama law, people who own or maintain a manufactured home must pay an annual registration fee and display a current identification decal on the home. Stickers must be renewed every year by Nov. 30. Violators face progressive fines and jail time.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/11/22/41643.htm