Sen. Tommy Tuberville warned Irondale Mayor James Stewart Jr. that a future Tuberville administration would not tolerate local efforts to circumvent federal immigration enforcement. Stewart invoked Martin Luther King Jr. to defend plans to fund activist training and a community warning system to monitor ICE operations. Gov. Kay Ivey expressed support for cooperation with ICE, and the dispute gained attention after an individual was arrested and charged with assaulting an ICE agent in the Birmingham area.
Tuberville Warns Irondale Mayor Over Anti‑ICE Efforts; Mayor Invokes Martin Luther King Jr.
Tuberville warns mayor over anti-ICE activism: 'You won't like me very much'
Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville has publicly warned Irondale Mayor James Stewart Jr. that he will not tolerate local efforts to impede federal immigration enforcement, after the mayor invoked Martin Luther King Jr. while defending measures to protect undocumented residents.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Tuberville — a Republican and former Auburn football coach who is campaigning to succeed term‑limited Gov. Kay Ivey — said a future Tuberville administration would adopt a "zero‑tolerance policy" toward local officials who try to work around federal law. "Like it or not, federal law says that illegal immigrants must be deported," he said. "If mayors don’t like that, they should run for Congress."
Mayor Frames Actions In Civil‑Rights Terms
In his February mayoral newsletter, Stewart wrote that watching Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations "tear families apart in Irondale" reminded him of Martin Luther King Jr.'s final speech and motivated his efforts. He said he plans to support programs, including training for activists, and cited King’s moral example as the basis for his actions.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., left, speaks as President Donald Trump, right, listens.(Getty Images)
"I understand that now. This may be my last term. But I still have to do God's will. Every single day," Stewart wrote, quoting King.
Local reporting by Alabama outlet 1819 News said the city contracted with the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) to help run programs such as a warning system intended to monitor ICE activity. Stewart has told local media that Irondale is not a sanctuary city and that he does not intend to shield criminals or obstruct federal operations.
State Leadership Backs Federal Cooperation
Gov. Kay Ivey backed Tuberville's position in comments to Fox News Digital, saying Alabama will continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. "Unlike Minnesota, in Alabama, we enforce the law," Ivey said, adding that the state seeks to protect citizens from criminals and lawbreakers.
The dispute drew further attention after Jose Ba‑Ruiz, identified in media reports as an undocumented Mexican national, was arrested and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with assaulting an ICE agent in the Birmingham area days after Stewart's newsletter appeared.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Stewart's office for further comment but had not received a response by publication time. The exchange highlights growing tensions between some municipal leaders who prioritize protecting immigrant communities and state and federal officials who emphasize strict enforcement of immigration laws — an issue now wrapped into Tuberville's gubernatorial campaign messaging.
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