A new Alabama law on human smuggling, one of several bills on illegal immigration proposed by Republican legislators this year, takes effect Wednesday.

The bill by Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, makes it a crime to knowingly bring an undocumented immigrant into Alabama.

“A person commits the crime of human smuggling if he or she knowingly transports into this state another individual if he or she knows is an illegal alien,” the bill says.

Violations will be a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison.

The bill drew opposition, including from advocates for undocumented immigrants and their families, who said it would criminalize necessary activities that require crossing state lines, such as for medical needs.

In response to that opposition, the Legislature added exceptions

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