Fairhope City Council squashes immigrant rumors

FAIRHOPE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Hysteria over an influx of refugees or illegal immigrants coming into Fairhope was squashed by city council members and the mayor Monday night.

However, residents believe it is still an issue the city needs to be prepared for.

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"I've got plenty of compassion. I have as much as you do," one concerned resident said. "Do you know what's going on in Springfield, Ohio?"

Residents took the podium for nearly two hours during Monday night's city council meeting. They expressed concerns about the possibility of immigrants coming to Baldwin County and the impacts they fear.

Concerns included the school system being unable to handle the increase in kids, communication barriers and worries that laws will be broken without consequences.

Residents urged the city council to come up with a plan in case refugees come to South Alabama.

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However, councilman Jack Burrell said coming up with a plan could present the wrong idea.

"The federal government may say, 'They're prepared we will send them there,'" Burrell said.

The concerns among residents sparked after an was published on a primarily conservative website .

Fairhope council members laughed at the claims saying that they do not have the power to bring in refugees or illegal immigrants. They told the public that if they did have that power, it is not something they would support.

Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan said she sympathizes with the residents' concerns.

"We do not make the laws at the federal level we just have to navigate at the local level, which does present its challenges," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said that she has not been notified of any refugees or illegal immigrants coming to Baldwin County.