The news media was barred Thursday night from entering an Enterprise church to cover what was billed as a community meeting on “mass-migration.”
A flyer advertising the event said it was open to the public.
The event, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Open Door Baptist Church, drew a large crowd, with the parking lot filled and attendants directing drivers to a grass parking area behind the church.
A reporter from AL.com entered the church hall that was filled with folding chairs and partially filled with a crowd almost an hour before the start time. A man told the reporter that no press was allowed. He declined to say who organized the event and who made the decision to exclude the press. He said the intent was to allow people to speak freely. The man said the speaker would be Jay Palmer.
The flyer advertising the event identified Palmer as a former Trump advisor who would speak on “mass-migration” and “what is happening in Alabama and Coffee County.”
Media members were asked to park and remain by a side street off church property.
The meeting in the south Alabama city follows public discussions about Haitian immigrants that have surfaced in other Alabama cities, including Albertville, Athens, and Sylacauga.
The presence of Haitians in the United States has become a topic in the presidential election campaign.
In June, the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration Biden expanded a program to provide temporary legal status to about 300,000 Haitians living in the United States because of the dangerous conditions in their home country.
The Caribbean island nation of about 11 million people has been plagued by lawlessness, violence, poverty, and natural disasters.
Former President Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance have inflamed concerns about the influx of Haitians by repeating false rumors about immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Concerns about Haitian immigration surfaced at city council meetings in Sylacauga. One city council member said residents were worried about Sylacauga “becoming the next Springfield, Ohio,” where there are about 15,000 Haitian immigrants.
But officials estimated the number of Haitians in Sylacauga at no more than 60 in a city of about 12,000. Police and school officials in Sylacauga have said large numbers of Haitians are not showing up in their police reports, or affecting enrollment in huge numbers.
In Albertville, photographs of Haitian workers in charter buses were shared on Facebook sparked what city officials called “baseless accusations, and hurtful rhetoric.” Some questioned what purpose the buses served, who was on them, and where the people onboard were coming from.
Pilgrim’s Pride, which operates poultry plants, later issued statements saying it had chartered the buses for employees to and from its Russellville plant. The company then said it would no longer use charters.
But the photos sparked discussion centered around recent Haitian immigration and its impact on the city in a series of community meetings.
In Enterprise, Mayor William Cooper weighed in on the issue with a statement on Facebook on Wednesday.
Cooper was elected in 2017 after serving 28 years on the city council. He is Enterprise’s first Black mayor.
“I would like to take a moment to address concerns that I am hearing from our citizens regarding some Haitian migrants.
First, I would like to say that we are sympathetic to the men, women and children who leave their country to focus on building a better life, especially amidst economic hardship, political instability, social unrest, war, and natural disasters.
We are aware that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ program allows refugees from Haiti to be placed in our community. It is unfortunate that we as a city were given no advanced notice nor additional resources to accommodate this influx.
My office is in close contact with local law enforcement, the healthcare community, the school systems, and other groups that might be impacted by this unexpected migrant influx.
There have been some serious allegations of crimes happening in our area. If these things did happen, it has not been reported to our law enforcement. If anyone is aware of criminal activity, I urge you to let the appropriate authorities know so the claims can be investigated.
We will uphold the law regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. If someone breaks the law, we will pursue them to the fullest extent.
The federal programs that have brought these migrants to the Wiregrass have unintended consequences. Frankly, we have not been given the resources to help these migrants assimilate as best they can into the local community. Our services are strained.
To the citizens of Enterprise: we hear you. We are as frustrated as you are that our resources are limited and taxed by this federal program. We are working with other communities that are experiencing a similar influx. We are seeking out resources where we can, while ensuring that all city, state and federal laws are followed.
I met with some members of the Haitian community who settled in Enterprise. We discussed many things, to include our cultural differences and cultural norms. We want everyone in our city, who wants to work, to be gainfully and legally employed.
Our city last year adopted updated property maintenance and fire codes. We are holding landlords responsible. We are ensuring that everyone has access to essential services like clean, running water as well as safe living conditions.
We want everyone who comes here legally to be active, productive members of our community and to feel welcome in Enterprise. Afterall, our city is the epitome of triumph over adversity. It’s a story we know all too well.
The City of Enterprise will remain vigilant in the coming days, weeks, and months, and will continue to act in the best interests of our community and all who call it home.”
This story will be updated
