SYLACAUGA, Ala. (WIAT) -- A line of people waited their turn to ask Alabama State Representatives Lance Bell, Keith Kelly and Ben Robins questions about the ongoing discussion surrounding what they say is an influx of Haitian immigrants in Sylacauga.
Sylacauga resident Darrick Grimmett said he moved back to the area in 2017, and he is among some people in community who feel the Haitian immigrants that currently reside in Sylacauga should feel welcome.
"I have no concerns with them being here because I work on facts. There are no facts saying that they are a problem. That there is any crime happening. That they're a strain on the economy," said Grimmett.
But some say their questions remain unanswered as they walked away from the meeting feeling unsure.
Rebecca Kent, a Trussville resident, traveled roughly an hour to Sylacauga to attend the town hall meeting to voice her frustrations.
Kent said she would like to see both city and state leaders address the current policies of immigration in the United States and how it affects Alabama.
"It's not an issue to immigrate to America, it's not an issue at all. We are a melting pot of cultures, right and we want to embrace that. But when your culture comes here and you
don't want to adapt to American culture, because we have our own thing going on here, then that's where the issue lies," said Kent.
According to the state representatives at Tuesday's meeting, it is unknown where or how Haitian immigrants arrived in Sylacauga and how many have been documented in the city as they say there has been a lack of communication from the federal government.
Following Tuesday's meeting, Grimmett said he is walking away from the meeting feeling disappointed.
"We have such a concern of a new neighbor coming into the neighborhood. Why haven't we gone over to say 'hey, I'm going to talk to them," said Grimmett.
When asked to do an interview about this town hall meeting, Sylacauga Mayor Jim Heigl declined.
The State Representatives that spoke at the meeting say they are working on a comprehensive plan to address immigration in the United States and in Alabama.