Time in Houston:
Outcry after Ala. immigrants denied water and power
November 7, 2011
A utility company in Alabama is going through the necessary processes to see about cutting off water and power to customers who are undocumented immigrants. Decatur Utilities (DU) said that it started prohibiting illegal immigrants from obtaining electric, gas, water or sewer services on Friday, as it was seeking to comply with the state's new immigration law. The new legislation requires that the state and its political subdivisions confirm that individuals conducting "business transactions" are legally residents in the United States.
DU spokesman, Stephen Pirkle, confirmed their intentions and said, "Because of the new law, we are now going through the process to confirm that they are either a citizen or an alien here legally. If not, we will deny them service."
The action has sparked outrage among human rights and Christian groups. Stephen Stetson, a policy analyst for Alabama Arise, said the human toll of the policy was potentially disastrous. He pointed out that it could have huge - and costly - ramifications on health care costs, with large numbers of immigrants needing medical attention.
"People who have their power cut off are going to be among the most disadvantaged," he said. "It's kicking them when they are down."
In a lawsuit arguing against the legislation in the summer, the US Department of Justice warned that the law could lead to people being denied basic utilities. Alabama Attorney General, Luther Strange, however, declared that he knew better than them and that they were "misinterpreting, or at least exaggerating" the requirements of the law.
A utility company in Alabama is going through the necessary processes to see about cutting off water and power to customers who are undocumented immigrants. Decatur Utilities (DU) said that it started prohibiting illegal immigrants from obtaining electric, gas, water or sewer services on Friday, as it was seeking to comply with the state's new immigration law. The new legislation requires that the state and its political subdivisions confirm that individuals conducting "business transactions" are legally residents in the United States.
DU spokesman, Stephen Pirkle, confirmed their intentions and said, "Because of the new law, we are now going through the process to confirm that they are either a citizen or an alien here legally. If not, we will deny them service."
The action has sparked outrage among human rights and Christian groups. Stephen Stetson, a policy analyst for Alabama Arise, said the human toll of the policy was potentially disastrous. He pointed out that it could have huge - and costly - ramifications on health care costs, with large numbers of immigrants needing medical attention.
"People who have their power cut off are going to be among the most disadvantaged," he said. "It's kicking them when they are down."
In a lawsuit arguing against the legislation in the summer, the US Department of Justice warned that the law could lead to people being denied basic utilities. Alabama Attorney General, Luther Strange, however, declared that he knew better than them and that they were "misinterpreting, or at least exaggerating" the requirements of the law.
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