FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
November 4, 2011
For More Information, contact:
Luther
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
Strange
Alabama Attorney
General
Attorney General Strange Responds to U. S. Department of Justice
(Montgomery) – Attorney General Strange today responded to a letter released by
Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez which confirmed that the Department of Justice has no
authority to compel Alabama School Superintendents to provide information requested by Perez’
office earlier this week. In a letter to Acting State School Superintendent Larry Craven,
Attorney General Strange stated:
‘Mr. Perez has not disclosed any legal authority which would compel the school
superintendents to provide the extensive information he previously requested.’
In his response to Perez, Attorney General Strange stated that Alabama, too, is interested in
protecting Alabama school children from unlawful activity. Strange requested the Department of
Justice to share with his office any information that might indicate that Alabama laws have been
violated.
Copies of the letters to Craven and Perez are attached.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov STATE OF ALABAMA
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
SOl WASHINGTON AVENUE
LUTHER STRANGE
P.O. BOX3001S2
ATTORNEY GENERAL
MONTGOMERY, AL 3613C>-01S2
(334) 242-7300
WWW.AGO.STATE.AL.US
November 4, 2011
VL4ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
AND U. S. MAIL
Honorable Thomas E. Perez
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
United States Department ofJustice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Re: United States v.Alabama, Case No.2: ll-cv-02746-SLB (N.D. Ala., pending).
Dear Tom:
Thank you for your letter of today’s date, which I understand to confirm that your Office
asserts no legal authority to compel production of the information that you are seeking. Your
understanding with respect to our representation in the immigration litigation is correct: We
represent the State of Alabama and the State Superintendent of Education.
In your letter, you offer to work together to ensure that children’s rights to education are
protected. My office is determined to see that our school children are protected from unlawful
activity. Toward that end, would you please share with me any complaints that your division has
recently received in Alabama* Perhaps that would help us to begin ajoint endeavor. Ilook forward
to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Lvw $cLuther Strange
Attorney General
cc: Hon. Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, USDOJ
Hon. Joyce White Vance, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama
Hon. Beth S. Brinkmann, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, USDOJ
Hon. C. Lee Reeves, II, Trial Attorney, Civil Division, USDOJSTATE OF ALABAMA
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
501 WASHINGTON AVENUE
LUTHER STRANGE
P.O.BOX 300152
ATTORNEYGENERAL
MONTGOMERY,AL 3613IS2
(334) 242∑7300
WWW.AGO.STATE.AL.US
November 4, 2011
Via Electronic Transmission
Hon. Larry E. Craven
Interim State Superintendent of Education
Alabama State Department of Education
Post Office Box 302101
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2101
Re: United States v. Alabama, Case No. 2:11-cv-02746-SLB (N.D. Ala.,
pending).
Dear Larry:
Attached is the response I received today from Tom Perez. Mr. Perez has
not disclosed any legal authority which would compel the school
superintendents to provide the extensive information he previously requested.
I hope this is helpful to you in giving guidance to the superintendents.
Let me know if I can be of further assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Lvw S;”CM.~
Luther Strange
Attorney General”
