Boyd TV ad declares he’s tough on illegal immigration; some critics doubtful
Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Boyd’s latest TV ad depicts the millionaire businessman as tough on illegal immigration. The Tennessean reports some critics contend he’s being hypocritical.
Judge’s rejection of TN refugee resettlement lawsuit appealed
The Thomas More Law Center, which is representing the state legislature in a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s resettling of refugees in Tennessee, is appealing a judge’s dismissal of the case. The Tennessean reports a formal notice of appeal to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was filed Thursday with approval of lawmakers involved in the matter.
Sessions ‘not shedding any tears’ over ICD raid on TN meatpacking plant
Speaking at a law enforcement conference in Gatlinburg, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions promised to continue being strict on illegal immigration and said he’s “not shedding any tears” over the recent ICE raid on a meatpacking plant in Grainger County, reports the News Sentinel.
Newly appointed U.S. District Attorney Doug Overbey introduced Sessions, who delivered a 25-minute speech including criticism of the “fuzzy-headed left” as well as promising to add 35 prosecutors and 18 immigration judges to border states to deal with backlogs on immigration cases.
Black urges Haslam to sign ‘anti-sanctuary cities bill;’ rally urges veto of ‘mass deportation bill’
U.S. Rep. Diane Black, who is running for governor, issued a press release Thursday calling on current Gov. Bill Haslam to sign an “anti-Sanctuary Cities” bill that requires state and local law enforcement officers to assist federal immigration officials in detaining undocumented immigrants.
The Tennessee Immigration and Refugee Rights Coalition, on the other hand, held a rally at the state Capitol Thursday evening to call for a veto of the group calls a “mass deportation bill.” TIRRC says “hundreds” attended, reports The Tennessean. And the Southern Poverty Law Center sent Haslam a letter saying the bill is unconstitutional.
Shelby County Commission to Haslam: Veto anti-sanctuary cities bill
Shelby County commissioners approved a resolution Monday that urges Gov. Bill Haslam to veto a bill that would require local and state law enforcement agencies to work with federal immigration agents on immigration matters, reports the Memphis Daily News.
Legislators vote to require TN law enforcement officers to detain illegal immigrants
On mostly party-line votes, the House and Senate gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that requires state and local law enforcement to detain suspected illegal immigrants for deportation at the request of federal officials without requiring warrants and prohibits local governments from adopting “sanctuary city’ policies
Democrats, contending the bill was unnecessary because Tennessee already forbids sanctuary cities, offered amendments to the measure (HB2315) that would have increased penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants. Those efforts were killed, also on party line votes, with the House sponsor voicing sympathy for the idea but declaring timing of the proposal inappropriate on the last day of the 2018 session.
MTSU Poll: Most Tennesseans support citizenship for ‘dreamers,’ limited marijuana legalization
Press release from Middle Tennessee State University
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Solid majorities of Tennessee voters express support for immigrants in the country illegally, especially the so-called “Dreamers” who were brought to the country as children, according to the latest MTSU Poll.
In other results that may raise eyebrows, a broad majority of Tennessee voters support at least limited marijuana legalization. Even 51 percent of self-identified evangelical Christians surveyed say they support legalization for medicinal use.
In-state tuition bill dead; sponsor blames election year politics
Sen. Todd Gardenhire says the push to allow some undocumented students living in Tennessee to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges is dead for the year because of election-year politics, reports the Times Free Press. The sponsor of SB2263 let the bill die without seeking a vote in the Senate Education Committee’s last meeting of the session on Wednesday, saying it was sure to fail.
Judge dismisses legislature-mandated lawsuit over refugees
U.S. District Court Judge S. Thomas Anders on Monday dismissed the state of Tennessee’s lawsuit against the federal government over the refugee resettlement program — mandated by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature after the state attorney general refused to file it, reports the Associated Press.
