Daimler Employee Arrested, Detained Under Controversial Alabama Immigration Law

Let me see you papers please - all of you...

Detlev Hager was arrested last week under Alabama Immigration Law by the Tuscaloosa police after the visiting German, who works for Daimler, was apparently unable to produce the proper identification papers under a controversial new law. As a result, Hager went to jail under the latest legal interpretation of Southern hospitality under Alabama immigration law.

The controversial Alabama immigration law requires that proper papers be carried by all citizens as well as foreigners, including employees of firms investing in the state. Daimler, of course, is one of the largest employers in Alabama, with billions invested thus far and millions more money on the way to the deep South.  

Hager, who lives and works – at least some of the time – in Germany, was busted on a routine traffic stop because the rental car he was driving did not have the proper tag. He was eventually released, and the charges dismissed the next morning. The Tuscaloosa police department did not respond to AutoInformed’s requests for comment. Hager’s current whereabouts is unclear, as is his legal status.

“This was an unfortunate situation, but police followed their standard procedures. Mercedes-Benz will take steps to educate our visiting business guests and employees stationed in the U.S. of the documentation requirements for the State of Alabama,” said Felyicia Jerald of Mercedes in the U.S.

Daimler opened a huge plant just east of Tuscaloosa for its first U.S. assembly operation 18 years ago. Daimler is now in the process of expanding the manufacturing complex, which now builds the Mercedes-Benz M-Class as well as GL- and R-Class models. More than 125,000 vehicles were produced last year and employment is  more than 2,800 in Alabama. Starting in 2014, the Tuscaloosa plant will be one of four global production locations of the successor generation of the current Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Presumably, the new cars will have the proper papers…