Immigration law changes halted

If Alabama’s new immigration law is ruled constitutional after careful consideration by U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn, it will mean many changes will have to be made, particularly in Franklin County’s Revenue Commission Office.

Revenue Commissioner Gene Ellison said his office is already preparing to enforce the new law in the event it is passed because he and his office will have to implement several changes.

“We want to do everything we can to make sure the public is aware that the process for obtaining your car tag, business licenses, boating licenses and many other transactions will be different,” Ellison said.

According to Ellison, the Revenue Commission Office will still be able to accept a valid Mexico driver’s license or a valid work visa as a form of identification for the time being.

However, if the law passes, proof of citizenship in the form of a U.S. driver’s license, birth certificate or passport will be required in order to conduct business with the Revenue Commission Office. If more than one person’s name appears on a document, both individuals must be present to show identification.

“We don’t know if the law will pass but we want to make sure the public knows what will be different if it does so they can be prepared before coming to our office to conduct business,” Ellison said.