Springfield, Ohio could become the next Alabama city, according to a council member's concern.

A city council member from Alabama is criticizing her colleagues for expelling all attendees from a meeting during which they were inquiring about Haitian migrants in their town of just 12,000 residents.

Council member Laura Barlow Heath criticized council president Tiffany Nix for abruptly ending the meeting in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, stating it could have unintended consequences.

She stated that she would never accept the notion that it is acceptable to silence individuals. Regardless of whether she agreed with their views or if the conversation was uncomfortable, she emphasized that they must still be listened to and validated.

The community's residents have been expressing their concerns to Heath about the migrants in their area, specifically about their job prospects and how they will sustain themselves. Heath is worried that an incident could escalate the situation and cause chaos in the community.

"What is the reason for Sylacauga? The speaker expressed concern that the lack of jobs and housing, as well as the uncertainties surrounding the situation, could lead to civil unrest if not addressed."

"I think that the people in this town are very protective of their properties and there's a fear that if they're hungry or in need, they might start breaking in, which would have disastrous results."

Heath stated that she empathized with the Haitian migrants due to their unfamiliarity with the new country.

The council dismissed concerns about the migrant issue and instead urged welcoming the Haitians as contributors to the economy.

Nix instructed the residents to leave as the meeting had ended. She signaled for an adjournment, which was approved by the other board members.

Residents could be heard groaning and complaining in the background.

A resident stated, "It's good to know they don't want to hear the truth."

Nix replied, "I'm unsure of what you're asking us to accomplish."

Another resident stated that interrupting public comment during a meeting is a breach of public law.

The locals feel "unsafe" due to the lack of documentation regarding the identities and backgrounds of those arriving.

"We don't know these people," she said.

Some in the community have welcomed their new neighbors.

The pastor of First Baptist Church of Sylacauga, Rick Patrick, stated in a local news interview that the topic of legal and illegal immigration is a matter for city hall, while the church's focus is on spreading the message "Jesus Loves You." The pastor is organizing an event to help English-speaking members of the congregation learn Haitian Creole.

State Representative Ben Robbins stated that there is limited information available regarding the number of migrants in Sylacauga and their mode of arrival.

"Robbins stated that as a community, we are entitled to answers to basic questions such as where the immigrants are working, why they arrived, and how they are being supported. However, on the back end, there are questions that need to be asked on behalf of the immigrant community, such as why they were brought to a community without available jobs or Creole-speaking support systems. Robbins questioned whether the community is directly or indirectly allowing this to happen, and emphasized that we don't know how many people are here, making it difficult to definitively answer how they all arrived."

Heath is worried that her town could face

She expressed concern about the possibility of becoming the next Springfield, Ohio, and wondered when enough would be enough, asking, 'When do they stop coming in?'

Recently, Springfield has emerged as a focal point for national discussions regarding the migrant crisis. Local residents have expressed concerns about an increase in crime, chaos, and car accidents resulting from the influx of new residents. According to city officials, approximately 20,000 Haitians have relocated to the town of 58,000 people in recent years.