Thread: TN: Stricter DUI, immigration laws take effect

Posting part of the article here.
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Stricter DUI, immigration laws take effect

LUCAS L. JOHNSON II Associated Press
Posted January 1, 2011 at midnight

NASHVILLE - Drivers who get behind the wheel after having too much to drink and individuals who can't prove they're in the country legally face tougher consequences in Tennessee with the start of the new year.

In Tennessee, another law taking effect today targets illegal immigration. The measure requires jailers to report individuals who don't have legal documentation to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Department.

Some jails, including the one in Nashville, had been involved with a voluntary ICE program that did the same thing. The new law puts the requirement into place in all cities and counties.

Stephen Fotopulos, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said his group opposes the law because "it's a huge unfunded mandate on local governments, with no public safety benefit."

"It creates an unreasonable burden on local jailers to become immigration experts," Fotopulos said.

www.knoxnews.com

Didn't Tennessee give drivers licenses to illegals at one point. I seem to remember illegals flooding the state and pretty much overwhelming the health system.

Originally Posted by jean

." "It creates an unreasonable burden on local jailers to become immigration experts," Fotopulos said.

This guy was just added to people I love to hate list! "JACK OF ALL ASSES!"
He's gettin' paid off illegals some how!

"GO! TENNESSEE!"

New law requires all TN jailers to ask inmates if they are in country legally

By Brian Haas • THE TENNESSEAN • January 3, 2011


Comments (81)

As of Jan. 1, Tennessee jailers must check every new inmate's citizenship to make sure he or she is not in the country illegally.

The new immigration rules are decidedly low-tech, consisting of two questions authorities are required to ask every detainee: Where were you born, and are you here legally?

Supporters of the bill said that it's simply a new tool for local law enforcement to help deter illegal immigration by doing something many people thought they were already doing. But critics, including some in law enforcement, question how effective that will be and worry that bringing every county online could gum up an already jammed immigration system in Tennessee at great cost to taxpayers.

The law applies to every jail in the state and every person jailed. Many larger counties, such as Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson, already participate in a similar program. When a detainee is suspected of having questionable citizenship status, his photograph and information are sent to the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE then decides whether to detain that person for deportation or to let him go through the normal legal system.

"It's just a common-sense way, and it's something a lot of citizens thought we were already doing. I just thought it was automatic," said state Sen. Jim Tracy, whose district includes parts of Rutherford County. "This is just one step down the line; it's not a panacea."

The harshest criticism has come from the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, which worried that the new law could lead to racial profiling and other abuses.
"Our concerns begin at the street, where we fear that law enforcement might choose to arrest an individual for a minor infraction rather than issue a citation in order to trigger an immigration investigation," said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU. "The second place is at the jail. Basically, that individual who's processing these individuals is going to determine, based on how the individual looks, sounds or responds to certain questions, whether or not to send their information to ICE.

"It's pretty clear that's where we see racial and ethnic profiling could in fact occur," she said.

Even some in law enforcement are unsure about the program, for different reasons. Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe worried that the law could flood an already overburdened immigration system.

"I think there's a whole lot of unanswered questions," Ashe said. "Common sense would tell you, if the federal immigration prisons are full now, what's going to happen when you start pouring more people back into that system? There's going to have to be a balance occur somewhere."

'Just window dressing'

Then there are the costs. Ashe said that county jails must pay to shelter, feed and give medical treatment to people flagged as illegal immigrants until ICE can pick them up. If the new law causes more of a backup, taxpayers could be footing the bill for longer and more expensive stays in county lockups.

http://oneoldvet.com/

www.tennessean.com

Stephen Fotopulos, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said his group opposes the law because "it's a huge unfunded mandate on local governments, with no public safety benefit."

"It creates an unreasonable burden on local jailers to become immigration experts," Fotopulos said.

Really Stephen? How is it any different than asking anyone for ID? If the arrestee doesn't have ID, how much of a "burden" is it to make a phone call to ICE?

Unfunded mandate? Nahhh, think of the money saved in social services when the illegals get jailed and deported. That's a HUGE bonus!

Public safety??? OH BOY! Isn't getting drunks off the road all about public safety? If the drunk is a criminal, detaining him/her is a a public safety benefit, wouldn't you think Stephen? Illegal aliens ARE criminals.

Got any other fairy tales to sell us, Stephen?

Quote..........Then there are the costs. Ashe said that county jails must pay to shelter, feed and give medical treatment to people flagged as illegal immigrants until ICE can pick them up. If the new law causes more of a backup, taxpayers could be footing the bill for longer and more expensive stays in county lockups.


I don't care how damned much it costs. The new Congress has to fund the invaders removal and KEEP THEM OUT!