November 9, 2011
A major utilities company in Alabama is now prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving electricity, gas, water or wastewater services to heated reactions on both sides, but they're just following the law.
The Decatur Utilities company is now one of many in the state that follows the newly signed immigration law which prohibits business with illegal immigrants in the state or its subdivisions.
'We did not [originally] document or confirm whether or not they were citizens or aliens here legally,' Stephen Pirkle, Decatur business manager and chief financial officer told the Decatur Daily.
Felony offense: Gov. Robert Bentley signed the Immigration Bill into law on June 9th which has a section specific to preventing business with illegal immigrants in the state of Alabama
'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,' he added.
Section 30 of the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, signed into law on June 9th of this year, will make it a felony offense, encouraging businesses like Decatur Utilities, with over 30,000 customers, to check customer's citizenship before service.
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