Mississippi Senate passes immigration-check bill

WLOX.com
January 18, 2011
JACKSON, MS

The Mississippi Senate has passed the bill to let law enforcement officers check the status of people they think might be in the United States illegally.

The bill passed 34 to 15 Tuesday after a debate that stretched more than four hours.

The bill says an officer could check a person's immigration status during traffic stops or other encounters, if the officer suspects the person might not have permission to be in the country.

Supporters say the bill would help keep out people who are living or working in the U.S. without proper documents.

Opponents say the bill amounts to election-year pandering.

The bill is Senate Bill 2179.

http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=13865173