While ostensibly designed to help curb illegal immigration, the impact of Alabama's HB 56 ("Alabama sets new standard," June 10) will instead be to punish and further intimidate illegals who already reside in that state. Much like Jim Crow, the spirit and provisions of this legislation give Alabama legal sanction to restrict minority access to education, employment, public services and the right to due process. It likewise criminalizes the efforts of good citizens to provide assistance to illegal immigrants, while giving police nearly unfettered power to act upon their own personal prejudices. Rather than having set new standards as described by The Sun, Alabama has unearthed and reasserted aspects of its shameful past.

Irwin Fried, Baltimore