Birmingham to hold forum for immigration law

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — People who would like to voice opinions about Alabama's new immigration laws will be able to attend a public forum to be held in Birmingham.

The forum will be held at Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

The new law, known as the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, allows police to arrest anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant if they're stopped for any other reason. It also requires Alabama employers to determine if any new worker is in the country legally.

Effective Sept. 30, the law requires public schools to determine students' immigration status and also makes it a crime to knowingly give an illegal immigrant a ride.