MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A bill introduced by the Alabama Senate in February that enforces penalties for human smuggling is now in effect.

Alabama House Representative Ben Robbins of Sylacauga said what prompted the bill is the mass transportation of immigrants into the state of Alabama for cheap labor.

"We don't have a problem with immigrant labor," the District 33 representative said. "But we do have a problem with illegal immigrant labor that is being exploited."

The law, also known as "the human smuggling and anti-harboring law," now makes it a crime to travel into the state of Alabama and knowingly transport illegal immigrants.

Robbins is the bill's sponsor. He said the act of knowingly transporting illegal immigrants is harmful for both immigrants and people who live in the state.

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