During the course of my Senate career. Sheriff Hayes worked closely with me and my staff to bring about positive change in Alabama. The accomplishment that I am perhaps most grateful to Sheriff Hayes for involves his vision for an immigration detention facility in the State of Alabama. In March of 1998. Sheriff Hayes started pursuing the expansion of the Etowah County Detention Facility. He had a vision for a longterm contract with the Federal Immigration Service. one that would increase the bed capacity in the State. and one that would serve to ensure that Federal immigration laws were more effectively enforced within the borders of our State. It is common knowledge that without bed space. you cannot arrest and deport illegal aliens. With the help of our office. he secured a 15year agreement with the Immigration Service and an $8.4 million expansion grant. This grant added over 300 detention beds. more than doubling the number in the existing facility. When the Immigration Service turned over control of the facility to its New Orleans Field Office after September 11. 2001. Sheriff Hayes further demonstrated his commitment to a successful immigration enforcement system in Alabama by initiating a movement to return oversight for the Etowah County Federal Detention Facility to Immigration Services Atlanta Field Office. He firmly believed that the beds would be used more effectively under the direction of the Atlanta Field Office. which was hundreds of miles closer and wanted to use the facility for short term. instead of longterm. immigration detainees. Just 2 weeks before his death. I received notification from the Immigration Service that his multiple yearlong effort was not in vain. DHS had fully evaluated his position. and had decided to grant his request. My office was able to communicate the good news that his persistence had been met with success to Sheriff Hayes just before his passing.
Keywords matched
illegal aliens immigration Immigration