House votes to let THP enforce immigration laws

May 3, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Tennessee House sent to the governor today a proposal to let the Tennessee Highway Patrol enforce immigration laws.

The bill authorizes the commissioner of the state Department of Safety to negotiate an agreement with the U-S Department of Homeland Security to allow troopers to be trained to enforce federal immigration and customs laws while conducting their normal duties.

The Senate passed the companion bill earlier this session.

Several House Democrats had earlier expressed concern that the measure could lead state troopers to engage in racial profiling, but the measure passed on a 95-to-1 vote. House Judiciary Chairman Rob Briley of Nashville was the only member to vote against the measure.

Governor Bredesen has not said whether he will sign the bill into law.

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=6466598