MONTGOMERY, Ala. — May 13, 2025 — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Monday signed into law two pieces of legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on noncitizen voting and increasing biometric data collection from undocumented immigrants already in custody.

Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), prohibits the use of foreign national driver’s licenses as valid photo identification for voting. Under existing Alabama law, voters are required to present photo ID at the polls, but the statute had not previously specified whether foreign-issued licenses were acceptable.

“Alabama is taking steps to protect our communities from impacts on public safety and the integrity of our elections,” said Gov. Ivey in a statement. “These bills will do just that by closing a loophole in state law concerning voter ID while also further enhancing law enforcement’s ability to effectively identify illegal immigrants with criminal records.”

The second measure, Senate Bill 63, introduced by Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City), mandates that law enforcement collect and submit fingerprints and DNA samples from undocumented immigrants currently in custody. The new requirement is intended to speed up the identification process and improve cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The new laws will take effect later this year.

From the Governor’s Office:

“ Governor Kay Ivey on Monday signed Senate Bill 158, designed to strengthen Alabama law against illegal immigrants and other noncitizen voting, and Senate Bill 63, requiring law enforcement to collect and submit fingerprints and DNA samples from illegal immigrants already in custody.

“Alabama is taking steps to protect our communities from impacts on public safety and the integrity of our elections,” said Governor Ivey. “These bills will do just that by closing a loophole in state law concerning voter ID while also further enhancing law enforcement’s ability to effectively identify illegal immigrants with criminal records.”

Senate Bill 158, introduced by Senator Will Barfoot, prohibits the use of foreign national driver licenses as a form of photo identification for voting in Alabama. Previously, Alabama law did not directly exclude these licenses as a valid form of photo identification for voting in the state.

Senate Bill 63, introduced by Senator Lance Bell, requires law enforcement to collect and submit fingerprints and DNA from illegal immigrants already in custody to speed up the process of biometric data collection.

Both bills passed the Legislature with bipartisan support.”