East Tennessee legislators back Arizona in illegal immigration battle
Posted: Jul 06, 2010 2:12 PM PDT

By HARLOW SUMERFORD
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - As the federal government and the state of Arizona prepare for a courtroom battle over illegal immigration, East Tennessee lawmakers are backing the Grand Canyon state.

"This is just another example of the Obama Administration overstepping their bounds. Arizona is trying to protect their citizens from illegal immigrants running rampant. This just goes to show you that the Obama Administration is out of touch with reality and with what the rest of the country is feeling about the issue," said Rep. Ryan Haynes (R-Knoxville).

The federal government insists that Arizona's immigration policy is "invalid" because it interferes with federal immigration responsibilities.

Rep. Frank Niceley (R-Knoxville) sees it differently, and says the state of Arizona has the right to defend itself.

"I cannot, for the life of me, I can't understand why the federal government refuses to secure the border. We are in Afghanistan trying to secure that border. We need to be here trying to secure that border," Niceley said.

The Arizona law makes illegal immigration a state crime.

Since Tennessee is already praising Arizona's stance with a resolution passed the Legislature, a similar bill could be on the way.

"I think you are likely to see Tennessee, in the future, bring forward a similar law and probably pass it. I think you are likely to see other states around the country do it. This bill has wide spread public support," Rep. Haynes said.

What other states do will probably depend on the outcome of the federal lawsuit.

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=12762600