The Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper is saying "NO" to the bill authorizing fines to those who hire illegal aliens.


State Attorney General Rules Illegal Worker Bills Invalid


Last Update: May 14, 2007 1:36 PM


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State Attorney General Bob Cooper has said in an opinion that a bill fining employers who hire illegal immigrants could not be enforced.

That's because it attempts to trump federal law.

The proposed bill sponsored by Senator Bill Ketron would impose a 10-thousand dollar fine on employers who are found to hire illegal immigrants.

But a federal law explicitly states that federal immigration law pre-empts any state or local law that imposes sanctions on those who hire illegal immigrants.

The General Assembly is considering several other bill that target illegal immigration, but it is unclear how federal law might apply to them.

One would allow local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration law. Another would require employers to check a federal database to verify that an employee is in the legally in the U-S.

A bill that prohibits transportation of illegal immigrants into Tennessee for profit is awaiting the signature of Governor Phil Bredesen.

That bill imposes a 1-thousand dollar fine on offenders for each illegal immigrant transported.
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