WAAY 31 has been investigating the allegations of migrants being bussed into North Alabama.
On Monday, the city of Athens addressed the situation at a council meeting, and things got very heated.
One Athens resident said, “I think you're out of line. This is not the place for that. Take it outside. Wherever you want to go, you're wrong.â€
The Athens city council meeting left residents angry on all sides of the matter.
District 4 council member Dana Henry said, "Federal officials have advised that there are new immigrants from Haiti on federal work permits in the area. They are here working legally in Alabama.â€
The city of Athens said they have nothing to do with the increase in migrants and they are not a sanctuary city, nor have they ever been.
"Neither the city of Athens nor any of its city officials receive any federal funding or private funding related to housing for migrants with work permits," said Henry.
Some said these migrants are locally affecting Athens residents by consuming resources at schools and businesses.
“What are we doing as citizens of Athens? What can we do as citizens of Athens to stop this? We can only prepare for the growth that we know. We are going to be the business coming in here, but how do you prepare for growth that is undocumented?†said one Athens resident.
Others said this should not locally affect anyone.
"Let's love one another. Let's let these people work, and as somebody said, mind your own damn business. People got to make money," said another Athens resident.
The city urges citizens to take these matters up with their local congressmen and congresswomen.
“The city encourages citizens who are concerned about national immigration policy to join the city in reaching out to their local congressmen and senators about this issue," said Henry.
