Thread: TN: Veto urged of bill requiring notice of immigrant status

Veto urged of bill requiring notice of immigrant status

* By Richard Locker
* Memphis Commercial Appeal

NASHVILLE -- The American Civil Liberties Union called on Gov. Phil Bredesen Monday to veto a bill that requires Tennessee jailers to notify federal authorities of the arrest of any person found to be in the U.S. illegally or whose status cannot be determined.

The ACLU of Tennessee charged that the bill -- sponsored by two West Tennessee lawmakers and one of the most contentious measures of the 2009-10 legislative sessions -- effectively requires people to carry immigration documentation at all times.

ACLU Tennessee Executive Director Hedy Weinberg said in a letter to the governor Monday that Senate Bill 1141/House Bill 670 "challenges the values of fairness and equality, invites disparate treatment of minority groups and encourages racial profiling. This legislation is un-American and effectively creates a police state."

The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, and Rep. Vance Dennis, R-Savannah, and had a long history in the General Assembly.

It originally passed the House 67-24 May 18, 2009, and but was left for dead last year in the Senate until it was called up on May 13 this year for a floor vote.

The final version of the bill:

Requires the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission to develop a standardized procedure for verifying the citizen status of individuals arrested, booked or confined for any period in a jail.

Reporting to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement all persons "who may be in violation" of U.S. immigration laws "or if such status cannot be determined.

Does not apply to any county or city that participates in ICE's criminal alien program or has entered into another agreement with the federal government concerning enforcement of immigration laws.

During the Senate debate, Gresham insisted her bill would not cost local authorities anything because it merely requires them to notify ICE whenever anyone is arrested whose status in the U.S. is found to be in violation or cannot be determined.

The law will go into effect Jan. 1, 2011, if it's not vetoed.

www.commercialappeal.com

The ACLU of Tennessee charged that the bill -- sponsored by two West Tennessee lawmakers and one of the most contentious measures of the 2009-10 legislative sessions -- effectively requires people to carry immigration documentation at all times.

Could he instead veto the ACLU? Federal law ALREADY REQUIRES immigrants to carry their documentation at all times. Sheez what a bunch of boneheads.

ACLU acting as judge, jury, and executioner here trying to shame people with un-American comments to further the ACLU's open borders/amnesty agenda...

ACLU Tennessee Executive Director Hedy Weinberg said in a letter to the governor Monday that Senate Bill 1141/House Bill 670 "challenges the values of fairness and equality, invites disparate treatment of minority groups and encourages racial profiling. This legislation is un-American and effectively creates a police state."

You are either a Liar or just flat out wrong Hedy WEINBERG. We already know what your solutions are to our problems. YOU want amnesty for illegal alien invaders and even MORE migration to this country until it is torn apart. NO THANKS.