Immigration law opponents own hearing

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - More than 20 people have spoken at a public hearing on a bill to make changes to Alabama's "toughest in the nation" immigration law.

Many of the speakers at Wednesday's meeting of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee said the changes do not go far enough to fix what some called Alabama's "terrible immigration law." Many wanted legislators to repeal the original immigration law.

Steve Jones, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Birmingham, said  the bill does not reflect the values of most Alabama residents.

Opponents of the law mostly dominated the hearing, but several people said they don't want to see the original bill changed. Committee chairman Republican Rep. Micky Hammon of "Decatur said he expects the panel to vote on the bill next week.