Alabama immigration law sends Hispanic families fleeing

The tough new state measure, largely upheld a federal district judge, seeks to drive illegal immigrants from the state by curtailing many of their rights. In this Hispanic community on the state’s Gulf Coast, the effects are evident.

5 Seconds

00:00

Prompted by the state’s crackdown on illegal immigrants, Praxedis Teran, 50, is packing up her trailer in Foley, Ala., and moving to Texas.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

In Foley, a sprawling seaside resort town where hundreds of Hispanic immigrants work, many families were saying tearful goodbyes to neighbors and co-workers they might never see again. From left are Susana Grifaldo, Silvia Diaz and Gemma Lozada, with two of her children, Eddy Diaz, 2, and Jerry Diaz, 18 months. Their families were all moving from Alabama.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Lisa Snow, right, shops at a yard sale in Foley. Several immigrant families were selling their belongings before leaving the state. As she looked for clothes for her new granddaughter, she said she felt sorry for the Mexicans. In the background are Gemma Lozada, 30, with son Eddy — they were heading to Mississippi.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Lisa Snow sorts through clothes at the yard sale. “I don’t know what to think. The law is supposed to be doing one thing, but it seems to be doing the opposite,” Snow said. She said she had just lost her office job but was sorry that the Mexican families were losing everything. “It just feels very personal now,” she said.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Charlotte Laughter, right, 60, gives a teary goodbye hug to her co-worker and friend Susana Grifaldo, 42. Grifaldo and her family were leaving for Tennessee.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Stacy Salvador, 10 months, looks through the glass at Drakos, an American bulldog. Stacy is a U.S. citizen, but her mother is an illegal immigrant. They left Foley shortly after this photo for a flight back to Mexico.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Angel Coronilla, 6, right, and his brother, Aaron, 3, play on the bed of the trailer their grandparents are selling . The grandparents, illegal immigrants, were moving to Texas, leaving behind their U.S.-born grandchildren. "I don't even want to talk about this law,” Angel said. “It is so sad."

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

A statue of St. Jude in Foley holds photos of parents who remained in Mexico. The family that owns the statue was leaving Alabama.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Praxedis Teran, 50, left and Angel Coronilla, 53, were packing their trailer in Foley and moving to Texas. Many of the trailers at the mobile-home park were already vacant.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

In Foley, for-sale signs are pinned to abandoned trailers in mobile-home parks. Across Alabama, news of the court ruling <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-judge-set-to-rule-on-legal-challenges-to-alabamas-tough-new-immigration-law/2011/09/28/gIQA28ST4K_story.html'>upholding the state’s tough new immigration law </a>has swiftly spread panic and chaos among trailer parks and working-class areas where legal and illegal immigrant families from <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/countries/mexico.html'>Mexico</a> and Central America — as many as 150,000 people, by some estimates — live and work at jobs their bosses say local residents largely refuse to do.

In Foley, for-sale signs are pinned to abandoned trailers in mobile-home parks. Across Alabama, news of the court ruling upholding the state’s tough new immigration law has swiftly spread panic and chaos among trailer parks and working-class areas where legal and illegal immigrant families from Mexico and Central America — as many as 150,000 people, by some estimates — live and work at jobs their bosses say local residents largely refuse to do.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Carlos Guerrero, center, receives his last paycheck from his boss, Hasty Laney, in Foley. He and his father worked for Laney for years. "They are my right arm,and I hate to see them go,” Laney said. Laney also owns the house they are renting and is helping the family store their belongings while they move to Tennessee.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Tommy Boatwright is the manager of a Foley trailer park where many of the residents have left. “They are my very best renters,” he said of some of the Hispanic families who were leaving. “They are hardworking and never cause trouble. I really hate to see them go.”

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Many Latinos clean the condominiums and work in the restaurants in Gulf Shores, Ala. The state’s new law punishes anyone who knowingly employs, houses or assists illegal immigrants and requires schools and police to verify immigrants’ legal status.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

At Mi Pueblo Supermarket in Clanton, Ala., Selene Brito, 19, organizes a display on a very slow day. Business had dropped significantly recently.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Members of the Jaime family light a prayer candle at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Foley. Many Hispanic families, including this one, have legal and illegal members, presenting some with wrenching choices in the wake of the new law.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Otilia Gaona, a U.S. citizen, wipes a tear as she hears illegal-immigrant parishioners at St. Margaret of Scotland talk about their situations.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The Rev. Paul Zoghby celebrates a Mass in Spanish at St. Margaret. “We’ve already lost 20 percent of the congregation in the past few weeks, and many more will be gone by next week,” Zoghby said. “It is a human tragedy.”

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

In Foley, some residents have been frustrated by the influx of Hispanic immigrants, especially those that are illegal. Some long-time parishioners left St. Margaret when it initiated a formal ministry to Hispanics.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Otilia Gaona lights a prayer candle under Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Margaret.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

“This is the saddest thing I have experienced in my 18 years as a priest,” the Rev. Paul Zoghby said. But as its backers see it, the law is a long-overdue panacea that will open up thousands of jobs to struggling Alabamans squeezed out of the market by cheap illegal labor.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Zoghby, center, treats a handful of parishioners to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant after the evening Spanish-language Mass. For many there, it was a goodbye gathering.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Susana Grifaldo, right, jokes about her height with Diana Rudisill, her friend from church, after they dined together after Mass in Foley.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Cindilou Mullinax, right, gives a goodbye hug to Grifaldo, her co-worker. Grifaldo, 42, quit her job and was moving to Tennessee.There has been an outpouring of sympathy and sadness from longtime inhabitants of Foley toward Hispanic families they had gotten to know as neighbors, co-workers, tenants or employees. Even some who said they opposed illegal immigration and supported the new law seemed to feel conflicted about seeing families they had come to know and like suddenly leaving.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Carla Guerrero, 25, center, wipes the birthday cake off her face at a Mexican restaurant with her fellow church members. From left are Alfonso Guerrero, John and Diana Rudisill, and the Rev. Paul Zoghby.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Susana Grifaldo, 42, hugs daughter, Carla, at her birthday party. At right is Grifaldo's husband, Alfonso Guerrero, 47, with their friend's baby, 10-month-old Stacy Salvador. The family was moving to Tennessee, The baby and her mother were returning to Mexico.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Alfonso Guerrero grasps the hands of his wife, Susana Grifaldo as they talk about their move to Tennessee. The couple and their three children were in the United States illegally.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.