Thread: Tennessee: State does its part on illegal immigrants

State does its part on illegal immigrants
By DAVE MITCHELL

In fall 2006, Gov. Phil Bredesen met with federal, state and local law enforcement officials to discuss how to more effectively address the very serious problem of illegal immigration in Tennessee. This meeting made clear that an effective response would require the combined efforts of all three levels of government, including some very specific steps at the state level.

As a result, Bredesen directed the Safety Department to request federal immigration enforcement authority, known as 287(g), for select members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since the initial request, THP command staff and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have met to discuss the potential partnership, aimed at identifying and deporting illegal immigrants who commit felony crimes within THP jurisdiction.

Late last year, I received a tentative commitment from ICE for a select number of sworn officers to undergo 287(g) training to work in partnership with ICE agents on selective enforcement of immigration violations. This enforcement will only pertain to illegal immigrants who commit felonies, such as vehicular homicide or human trafficking, in THP jurisdiction. The program will give agents the training and resources needed to more easily identify suspected criminal aliens and more effectively mobilize deportation.

The Safety Department is not only planning what to do about illegal immigration in the future; we are acting now:

• In March 2007, a trooper stopped a vehicle with expired tags on Interstate 40 in Henderson County. The driver was identified as an international fugitive from the Czech Republic who was sought for sexual offenses and aggravated theft. He was charged with identify theft, and ICE officials were contacted for possible deportation.

• In November 2007, troopers assisted Kingsport police during a traffic stop for speeding on I-81. Eleven illegal immigrants were arrested. ICE agents took custody of all 11 on immigration violations.

• This month, a trooper stopped an 18-wheeler in Jefferson County for speeding and uncovered 63 kilos of cocaine valued at $1.5 million. A check with ICE revealed the driver had previous drug offenses and had been deported to Mexico in 1998. Driver and passenger were arrested and turned over to federal authorities.

New state law enforced

Additionally, Bredesen has charged all state departments with redoubling their efforts to ensure that no one is illegally receiving services from state agencies.

At both the executive and legislative level, our state has initiated a number of strong measures to confront one of the fundamental drives of illegal immigration: hiring illegal immigrants. The legislature passed and the governor signed a measure that prohibits companies from doing business with the state of Tennessee if they knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

The bottom line is that a truly effective response to illegal immigration requires a strong partnership between local, state and federal governments with everyone doing their part. The state of Tennessee is doing its part and will continue to do so.
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All parents enrolling children in school should show proof of citizenship of parent -child is not being prevented from coming to school mind you -proof would be to make sure parent is being truthful if they want any future programs for child(not own three SUV and kids get free meals,which happens at my kids school).I as a parent would be happy to show proof of citizenship -make it be required for evey parent and there is no bull of discrimination.

I want to see them require proof of citizenship to VOTE.