Enforcement and E-Verify make strides in states
On Tuesday three pieces of immigration-related legislation passed the Tennessee House's State and Local Government Committee. One bill would allow state and local law enforcement agents to question suspects about his or her immigration status, the second bill would require employers to ensure that their employees are legally authorized to work in the United States, and the third would require state and local agency to verify that those who apply for benefits are legally entitled to receive them.
While opponents of the legislation -- primarily the first piece of legislation -- claim that it could lead to racial profiling, leave Tennessee open to lawsuits, or that immigration enforcement should be left to the federal government, Rep. Curry Todd, the chairman of the committee, disagreed: "We wouldn't be here if the federal government would do their job.... That's why the states are getting involved in it."
Indiana is also getting more involved in immigration enforcement, or it will if Gov. Mitch Daniels gets his wish. On Tuesday, Gov. Daniels said an Indiana Senate bill that currently focuses primarily on law enforcement should focus more on employers. Gov. Daniels also took aim at businesses that claim that immigration enforcement legislation will harm their ability to hire foreign workers.
Click here to read more about the Tennessee bills and here to read more about Gov. Daniels' remarks.