JEMISON, Ala. —

Dozens gathered outside Jemison City Hall Tuesday night to protest a joint operation between federal and local law enforcement in Chilton County that led to several immigration arrests.

Last week, Jemison Mayor Jonathan Varden released a statement addressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) working with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to set up multiple driver's license checkpoints across the county.

ICE said the operation is part of a statewide partnership aimed at identifying and removing individuals who are in the country unlawfully.

Officials said eight people were detained, several with prior illegal entries and one with criminal convictions.

"We're not saying what they're doing is not correct; we're all for the law. But we're saying for them to d

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