Their role as resident is the only way to exert any control over the local and state politics that affect them, being summarily excised from any role in nation-wide elections. Residents who are not also citizens are categorized as either permanent residents or as conditional residents, with very little difference but demographic and reputation between them. In Birmingham, where transient workers are shuttled through the state to work on agricultural plants with Georgia-Pacific or local farmers, many of these residents are conditional, EB-5 Employment Creation Immigrants. Here, they have full right to enjoy the services provided for them by the city and state - including health care, education, public transportation, police protection - and maintain that benefit by voting in local elections only.

Yet, while residents participate in these elections, they are surrounded by stigma that handicaps their influence and policy-making ability. Since their ability to participate in local politics...
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