7 Things: Alabama U.S. Senate candidates continue to make their case, 4 Alabama Republicans call out Biden admin on illegal immigration wave and more …

7. Biden announces pardons; 3 Alabama meth dealers get the honor

President Joe Biden has announced his first round of presidential pardons, granting 75 across the country. Out of all individuals pardoned, there were three Alabamians included who had all been convicted of federal drug crimes.
In Alabama, those pardoned were Sergio Acosta in Montgomery, who was serving a 97-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Kristie Marie Smith Israel of Albertville, who was serving a 97-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Daniel Valencia of Maylene, who was serving a 135-month sentence for the importation of methamphetamine.

6. Kamala Harris tests positive for the coronavirus

It’s been announced that Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for the coronavirus and was clarified that she hadn’t been in close contact with President Joe Biden or first lady Jill Biden recently.
Harris and Biden have not seen each other since April 18, and the White House has said that Harris won’t be back to the White House until she has a negative test. About a month ago, Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, had the coronavirus.

5. Pre-K program in Alabama is expanding

Ninety-six new classrooms have been added for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year through the Alabama First Class Pre-K program. The new classrooms will be available across 35 counties and will be available to 26,658 children.
The state currently has a goal of making the Pre-K program available to 70% of eligible children in the state. Governor Kay Ivey said of the expansion, “I’m glad to see that even more students will have access to pre-K next year and look forward to the day that all Alabama families who want pre-K for their children have access.”

4. Illegal immigrant population increases by 1 million

It’s been reported that there were 1 million illegal immigrants added to the United States in President Joe Biden’s first year in office, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
The report from FAIR also showed that this increase costs taxpayers about $9.4 billion. In 2021, there were 15.5 million illegal immigrants in the country, according to the report, which was up from 14.5 million in 2020. The report states that as places start hiring again, there are still many willing to hire illegally “to undercut the market and make up for lost profits resulting from economic shutdowns stemming from the pandemic.” The report adds, “These unethical hiring practices occur even though millions of Americans remain unemployed or underemployed.”

3. Alabama congressmen have called out Mayorkas for the U.S. border

U.S. Representatives Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville), Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) have sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to point out the unacceptable handling of the southern border. There were over 50 other Republicans on the letter.
In the letter, the lawmakers say, “Your actions have willingly endangered American citizens, undermined the rule of law and our nation’s sovereignty. Your failure to secure the border and enforce the laws passed by Congress raise grave questions about your suitability for office.”

2. Brooks has a high conservative rating

U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) has always been one of America’s most conservative legislators, and even Brooks’ opponents and their surrogates agree. Blogger Steve Flowers said of Brooks, “If you are looking for a true long term proven conservative, then Mo Brooks is your man.” Brooks is touting his recent grade from the American Conservative Union in their annual legislative scorecard, which showed that Brooks has a 97% conservative score.
Brooks used this new grade to state, “I don’t just talk the talk at election time, I walk the walk when it comes to tough votes in Congress. That’s what is needed at this pivotal point in American history—conservative stalwarts who will take the fight to Washington establishment whose corrupt ways have led America to the brink of Socialist-hellscape disaster.”

1. Mike Durant combats ad hitting him on his 2nd amendment comments

One of the first attacks against U.S. Senate candidate Mike Durant focused on some comments Durant made about taking guns away from citizens to increase public safety during a 2011 speech Durant gave to the U.S. Army War College. Durant asserted those words lack context and has responded with an ad of his own.
Durant’s ad plays a clip from the Alabama RINO PAC’s ad, which says, “Why are liberals supporting Mike Durant? On the Second Amendment, he sounds like them.” Following the snippet from the ad, Durant says, “I’ve seen worse” as he declares that he is pro-Second Amendment by citing his military service, but he doesn’t respond to the actual points made against him.