In Alabama, strict immigration law sows discord

Alabama's harsh laws have forced its own businesses to cut back, which will cut state taxes they could receive and hurt their own population when food prices go up.    - - Donna Poisl

By Daniel Trotta and Tom Bassing

Alabama tomato farmer Darryl Copeland looked out over his seedlings and fretted about this year's harvest.

He was afraid his seasonal migrant workforce might not return for the summer picking season, opting to stay away rather than risk running afoul of Alabama's stringent immigration law. The crew he awaits is picking the Florida harvest.

"I had to cut back my planting not knowing if the labor is going to be available," said Copeland, 47, who planted just two-thirds of his 30 acres on the far side of Straight Mountain in northeastern Blount County.
Click on the HEADLINE above to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.