The Justice Department has sent a letter to Alabama police
warning them to avoid discriminating against Latino residents when enforcing
immigration laws.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez, who heads the DOJ’s
civil rights division, sent a letter to 156 police agencies that receive
federal funding. The letter warned that if agencies violate anyone’s civil
rights they could lose funding. He further stated that the DOJ is monitoring
the law’s implementation to make certain there are no civil rights violations.

Alabama’s immigration law is being contested in federal
court, but certain aspects of the law are being enforced, namely the provision
that allows police to inquire about a person their legal status if they stopped
for traffic violations or arrested.

There are a large number of immigrants, who come to the
country legally, but there are also an overwhelming majority who bypass immigration attorneys and legal status.

Numerous states have passed tough immigration laws in order
to crack down on illegal immigration which they believe drains state resources
and social programs.

Even with the representation of an immigration lawyer, legal documentation can be difficult and time
consuming to obtain. Immigrants have a number of options to become legal
residents such as visas or asylum. An immigration attorney can explain these options and help a
person get the necessary documentations so they don’t face possible
discrimination.