Commission to discuss illegal immigration
BY BOBBIE YOUNG, Tribune Staff Writer
Dec 11, 2007

Illegal immigration and what to do about it is expected to be the hot topic at next week’s meeting of the Hamblen County Commission.

The commission’s Public Safety Committee voted Monday to recommend that the commission join the Morristown City Council in asking for state and federal help in enforcing immigration laws. That recommendation will go before the full commission at its monthly meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20.

At least two commissioners have some questions about the wisdom of rushing the resolutions. Both Joe Swann and Tommy Massey wanted to take a while and study the issue.

"It’s a bigger issue than can be solved locally," Swann said today. "I don’t want taxpayers’ money wasted on a fruitless effort."

The city council recently approved two resolutions on illegal immigration. The first petitions State Sen. Steve Southerland and State Rep. John Litz to "introduce and support legislation aimed at reducing the growing population of illegal immigrants being harbored and employed in the city of Morristown."

The second resolution asks U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker and U.S. Rep. David Davis to help the city secure federal help in enforcing immigration laws. It specifically calls for what is known as a "memorandum of understanding" between the city and the U.S. Attorney.

The memorandum of understanding would allow local law enforcement officers to carry out federal immigration laws including investigations, arrests and detention of illegal immigrants.

Both resolutions say that illegal immigration is costly to local residents in terms of law enforcement, medical services and public assistance.

County commissioners such as Larry Baker say illegal immigration is also hurting local schools and requiring more money from taxpayers to pay for education.

Swann said he doesn’t think the city or the county needs to get into the immigration business.

"We can’t afford this," he said. "Our jail is already overcrowded."

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