SOMETIMES I REALLY HATE IT WHEN I HAVE THE PERFECT TAGS FOR A POST<\/span>:<\/p>\n Several days have now passed since Alabama\u2019s anti-immigration law, the harshest and most abusive in the nation, came into full effect. HB 56, a de facto criminalisation of migration, replaces any sensible immigration policy with the favorite solution these days: let\u2019s put them behind bars\u2013 and we might as well make a profit out of it.<\/p>\n The negative consequences of such shameful legislation have been felt immediately. Within hours, it had claimed its first victims \u2013 from the detention of a man who later turned out to be residing legally, to the massive fleeing of migrant workers and school children, to even cutting off water services to families or individuals who can\u2019t prove their legal status. It is the most draconian and oppressive set of provisions that this country, which claims to be the bastion of liberties and rights, has seen since the era of segregation.<\/p>\n Because anyone lacking the proper immigration papers is considered to be committing a crime, also entering into a \u201cbusiness transaction\u201d with the individual in question would prompt criminal charges. \u2026<\/p>\n The difference between Alabama and adjoining states is that it is willing to go further down this track. Recently, John McMillan, agriculture commissioner, proposed that the farm work left behind by immigrant workers be supplied with inmate labor. Decatur, a private detention center about 50 miles to the north-west of Alabama, which had been unable to find jobs for inmates, has now witnessed record numbers of requests for labor (for an estimated 150 detainees a day).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n