Alabama has enacted a new law mandating the collection of biometric data from undocumented immigrants in state custody. Signed by Governor Kay Ivey, Senate Bill 63 (SB63) requires law enforcement agencies to gather fingerprints and DNA samples from individuals identified as illegal immigrants who are already in custody. The measure aligns with a broader trend toward enhanced identity verification and biometric tracking for non-citizen populations.
Governor Ivey defended the legislation as a public safety initiative, stating, “Alabama is taking steps to protect our communities from impacts on public safety and the integrity of our elections. These bills will do just that by closing a loophole in state law concerning voter ID while also further enhancing law enforcement’s ability to effectively identify illegal immigrants with criminal records.”
Supporters say the bill will enable more accurate identification of repeat offenders and improve coordination with federal authorities. However, civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Alabama and the Southern Poverty Law Center, have warned that SB63 could encourage racial profiling and lead to unconstitutional privacy violations. Critics also noted that federal agencies such as ICE already maintain extensive biometric databases, suggesting that the law could duplicate existing federal procedures while imposing new burdens on local law enforcement.
Opposition during legislative hearings focused on the potential for abuse and the unclear criteria for determining who qualifies as an “illegal immigrant” subject to biometric collection. Civil rights advocates raised concerns that the measure could expand surveillance powers without adequate oversight or legal protections.
SB63 was passed alongside a second measure, Senate Bill 158 (SB158), which tightens voter ID requirements. The new law prohibits the use of foreign national driver’s licenses as valid photo identification for voting in Alabama. These licenses, issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to legal non-citizens, carry an “FN” designation and are already labeled as invalid for federal identification purposes.
The bill passed the Alabama House of Representatives by a vote of 82–13. Secretary of State Wes Allen, a strong proponent of the legislation, stated, “Ensuring that only American citizens are voting in our elections has been a top priority of mine since day one. This legislation helps defeat noncitizen attempts to dilute the vote of legal American citizens and strengthens Alabama’s safeguards against noncitizen voting.”
However, Democratic lawmakers and voting rights advocates questioned the necessity of the measure. Representative Mary Moore pointed out that there is little documented evidence of noncitizens attempting to vote in Alabama, suggesting the law may instead create confusion for legal residents and naturalized citizens alike.
The two bills are part of a larger legislative package aimed at immigration and election security. Other proposed measures target money transfers, increase penalties for aiding undocumented immigrants, and impose further restrictions on driving privileges. The developments reflect a growing emphasis on biometric data collection as a means of managing identity and enhancing public safety.
Sources: Alabama Political Reporter, ABC3340
May 13, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
