The Birmingham News reports Section 30 of Alabama’s new immigration law requires residents of land lease communities prove they are legally in the U.S. in order to obtain a property tax decal for the factory-built home they own. Their other options are to move out of state, sell their home, or risk a Class C felony charge. James Pilgrim, owner of an MHC in Five Points West, AL says it’s the government’s fault for allowing people to illegally live and work here for so many years and then uproot them. Some of his tenants had become like family to him. Sherry Norris, Executive Director of the Alabama Manufactured and Modular Housing Association (AMHA), says she has kept her organization members informed about this ruling in advance. Most all had already made preparations, requiring proper id and a credit check for proposed residents. “The new immigration law is not causing a hardship,” says Norris. “They are pretty strict on who comes into their communities.” Limestone County’s license commissioner Greg Tucker says there is no wiggle room in the law.

(Photo credit: MHMSM)