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LAWSUIT ALLEGES ALABAMA TAX ASSESSOR DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IMMIGRANTS
Huntsville, Alabama is one of the centers of the US space program, and has long been home to many foreign nationals participating in space related research. Indeed, for years road-signs leading into the city greeted visitors in a variety of languages, and the city has long had significant levels of immigrants in its population. More recent arrivals, however, have met with a more chilly reception. 
One of the current problems immigrants face in Huntsville is discrimination by the county tax assessor, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center on behalf of a Dominican born husband and wife who are US citizens and a South Korean legal permanent resident, the suit alleges that the assessor refuses to grant lawful tax exemptions to people who cannot speak English. 
Part of the local tax system is a provision creating a tax break for residents who own and occupy property. The tax assessor, Wayland H. Cooley, an 83 year-old who has held his elected position for over 20 years, refuses to give this benefit to homeowners who cannot swear to the accuracy of the information they submitted in English, regardless of whether an interpreter is present. 
And Cooley makes no effort to hide the reasons behind his actions. According to people who have appeared before him as interpreters, Cooley told them immigrants "are coming over here and taking what’s ours" and trying to avoid taxes. One person who wanted to work as a translator for a friend was told she could not because the assessor did not believe she would be translating the truth. 
Madison County, in which Huntsville is located, is the only Alabama county that does not allow interpreter assistance in claiming tax exemptions. Cooley claims his practice is supported by a provision of the Alabama state constitution making English the official language in the state. The state attorney general, however, issued an opinion last year saying that that provision does not impose any restrictions on non-English speakers seeking tax exemptions.