Haitian Immigration Concerns Spark Heated Fairhope City Council Meeting.
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) — A reported influx of up to 1,000 Haitian immigrants expected in Baldwin County, particularly Fairhope, led to a significant turnout at Monday night’s City Council meeting. Residents gathered in large numbers to express their concerns.
Mayor Sherry Sullivan and council members attempted to quell the rumors, stating they had received no official notification regarding the situation. “To be clear, we have not seen or received any notification that this is happening, nor that it is expected to happen in Fairhope,” Sullivan said.
Councilman Jack Burrell echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying, “Imagine my surprise when I started getting text messages and emails suggesting we were inviting residents to live in our city. That’s just patently false. We’ve never even had a conversation about this.”
Councilman Jimmy Conyers added to the discussion, stating, “We will never be a sanctuary city. The last number I heard was up to 30,000 refugees. So it went from 1,000 to 5,000 to 15 to 30,000.”
The meeting was packed, with standing room only and many people spilling into the lobby. Council members noted that the issue had become “out of control” on social media and urged residents to apply “common sense” when consuming online information. This advice did not sit well with many attendees.
The concerns may stem from a letter signed in 2022 by Council President Corey Martin during the height of the Ukrainian War, which discussed a program to assist women and children refugees. Martin expressed confusion about how the current situation escalated from that point.
Some residents referenced the Haitian immigrant community in Springfield, Ohio, and questioned whether Baldwin County could manage a large influx of newcomers. “I support legal immigration, and I think most people in Fairhope probably do. But not illegal immigration,” one resident stated.
Another resident raised concerns about local schools’ capacity to handle additional students, particularly those who do not speak English. “Our schools are maxed out, and our teachers are at capacity,” she said. “We’re here because of a letter you signed, not because we lack compassion.”
Several attendees expressed frustration with council members’ reassurances. One resident challenged the council, saying, “Tell us what you’re going to do if this comes to pass. You’re sitting up here smugly, so tell us what we need to know.”
Others questioned the readiness of local law enforcement to manage potential changes. “Is the Fairhope Police Department ready to handle this?” one man asked.
A resident noted that, according to the Cato Institute, both documented and undocumented Haitian immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans.
Following public comments, Council President Martin reassured attendees. “We listen to our constituents. We don’t want any fear factors. The program I signed was about displaced refugees, not specific ethnicities. The protection of women and children is something I stand by, as long as it’s done legally.”
Congressman Jerry Carl also addressed the issue, stating he and local officials spent the weekend trying to trace the report’s origin. He confirmed there is currently no truth to the claims but pledged to continue investigating. Carl noted he does not believe Baldwin County can accommodate a large influx of immigrants, especially in terms of housing.
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