Bills target illegal immigrants
February 21, 2011

Proposal mimics controversial Arizona law

By SKYLER SWISHER

Republican state lawmakers representing Maury County are pushing a variety of bills they say will stamp out illegal immigration in Tennessee.

State Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, said the reason he is supporting the bills is simple: The federal government — both under the Bush and the Obama administrations — is not doing enough to protect the nation’s borders.

State lawmakers unveiled three bills this past week, including a bill sponsored by Ketron that is modeled after Arizona’s controversial immigration law.


“I think it sends the message to everyone around the country that we are a shining state on top of a hill where people want to move to ... because we are doing the right thing,â€