Marshall County Sheriff Reports 14 Taken Into Custody During Immigration-Related Traffic Detail

TWLN Staff Reporter | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News

MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. — Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims announced that deputies and investigators conducted a multi-hour traffic saturation detail on Thursday, December 11, 2025, resulting in 14 individuals being taken into custody by federal immigration authorities.

In this photo, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detain a man during an operation. AP Photo/Gregory Bull)(WVLT)

According to Sheriff Sims, the operation took place over approximately six hours in several areas of Marshall County, including Douglas, Horton, Albertville, and the Nixon Chapel community. During the detail, deputies conducted lawful traffic stops and made contact with individuals who were unable to provide identification or whose citizenship status could not be verified.

The enforcement action followed the implementation of Senate Bill 53 (Act No. 2025-453), which went into effect on October 1, 2025. Under the new law, local law enforcement officers are required to check the citizenship status of individuals who are lawfully stopped or detained when there is reasonable suspicion of unlawful presence. The law also mandates contact with federal immigration officials if documentation cannot be provided. In addition, SB 53 creates a felony offense for knowingly transporting an undocumented immigrant into the state, with limited exceptions.

Sheriff Sims said that when individuals encountered during the traffic stops were unable to verify their legal status, immigration officials were contacted in accordance with the law. Of the 14 individuals ultimately taken into custody, 12 were reported to have prior criminal histories ranging from driving under the influence and fraud to domestic violence and drug-related offenses. Three individuals were also charged with felony re-entry after previously being deported.

Authorities stated that 13 of the individuals were Guatemalan nationals and one was a Mexican national.

“We as law enforcement officers are bound by the law and the oath of office to enforce the law here in Marshall County,” Sims said in a statement. “As Sheriff, that is what I intend to do. We will do so with empathy and compassion to the best of our ability, but the law will be enforced.”

Sims acknowledged that immigration enforcement remains a complex and sensitive issue, noting that requirements such as valid driver’s licenses, insurance, and work authorization apply to everyone, regardless of citizenship status. He emphasized that criminal activity will not be tolerated.

“Some of you may disagree with me on that and that’s fine,” Sims stated. “But I will do the job I was elected to do.”

The sheriff also addressed the humanitarian aspect of immigration, encouraging those seeking a better life in the United States to pursue legal pathways.

“I’m sure there are a lot of good folks looking for a better life here who are here illegally, but it must be done the legal way,” Sims said. “So, I encourage you to seek the legal route to becoming legal.”

Sims added that his approach is guided by both legal obligations and personal faith, stating that compassion and respect for the law must coexist.

“Until immigration law is changed or updated, we must operate under the law,” he said.