On May 20, 2010, the Tennessee senate will once again review SB0194/HB0270, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in Tennessee. Voter registration forms have always required registrants to profess United States Citizenship to complete the registration. The current registration forms require the applicant to check “Yes” when asked if he is a U.S. Citizen and includes the stern warning that false information is punishable by 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The new law requires proof that the applicant is a U.S. Citizen in the form of a driver license, non-driving photo ID, birth certificate, United States passport, or Bureau of Indian Affairs card number, or other valid proof of citizenship. Currently, Tennessee relies on the honor system and requires no proof.
This bill is just the first targeting immigration reform in Tennessee, and more are planned to be introduced in January. As many as 10 other states are considering legislation similar to Arizona’s SB 1070.
Arizona immigration legislation
The Arizona immigration legislation has sparked unnecessary controversy, and according to the most recent Gallup poll, 51 percent of Americans support the Arizona legislation. Illegal immigration is already illegal; the Arizona law does not make it illegal. The Arizona legislation changes nothing previously defined by federal law, but makes it easier to enforce the provisions of the federal government that federal officials seem unwilling to implement.
Legal immigration is still legal, and legal immigrants still have the full protection of the Constitution. Illegal and legal immigration are vastly different. One requires sneaking into the country without the consent or knowledge of the government. The other requires background checks, a statement of purpose, and a pledge to abide by the laws of the United States. Legal immigration allows time for assimilation, which is essential to the sustainability of the United States.
Mexican immigration law
In Mexico, illegal immigration is a felony punishable by more than one year in prison, and citizens have the right to report suspected illegal immigrants. To be accepted legally as an immigrant to Mexico, an immigrant must have no criminal records, have something positive to contribute to society, not be any burden to society, and must be able to prove economic stability. The United States may have something to learn from Mexico.
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Comments
I agree with proof of citizenship in order to vote. But what I don't understand is the need for massive rules, regs, & restrictions for immigrants(I do get the fear of terrorist threat, but all our gov't restrictions don't seem to be effective). I do not believe in "us against them" paranoia. Why do we continue to be so deeply afraid of "other" human beings???
Agree with Rick. People act like they want less government, but think it's okay to pull someone over and demand papers based on how they look.
Why has everyone forgotten our history? How did you and your ancestors get here?
My ancestors came here LEGALLY. The 'papers' everyone talks about is a driver's license. Is that really too much to ask? Citizens must provide a driver's license or photo ID to police. ILLEGAL immigration is ILLEGAL for a reason.
Some of the negative impacts of illegal immigration follow.
* overcrowded and under-funded schools
* diseases
* increased health care costs
* degraded health care service
* higher auto insurance premiums
* poverty
* lawlessness
* social conflict
* over-population
* unemployment
* lowered wages
* vote fraud
* increased crime
* illegal drugs
* environmental degradation
* depletion of natural resources
* loss of common language and culture
* increased traffic congestion
* higher taxes
I think these are plenty-enough reasons to be against illegal immigration!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you read the Arizona law, it states that proof of immigration status can only be requested if "lawful contact" is made. Lawful contact for example would include being pulled over for speeding, running a red light, etc.
Per Tennessee Code 55-50-301, if you get pulled over in Tennessee, you are required to have a driver's license. In order to get a driver’s license, you must show proof of immigration status. Sounds to me like the only piece we are missing from the Arizona law is the enforcement!
I am not against immigration; I’m against giving anyone the ability to pick and chose which laws to follow and which ones to totally disregard.
Quentin, I see your question about how I, and my ancestors got here. I've always been confused as to what I can be considered. Since my family and my husband's were here before we became a nation, and both families had members who fought in the Revolutionary War, I guess we were pre-illegal aliens, huh?
By the way, those who always manage to bring up the fact that we're all immigrants (yep, the whole world is) seem to forget that when this county was in its infancy, we needed Europeans to populate it. Now, we're full and we have laws against invading, occupying and colonizing a country other than your own. Would you do away with all immigration laws? Borders? Only allowing one race of people in? California alone spends 9 billion on the upkeep of illegals. Figure what each state has to spend and you'll realize that withough that expenditure, we wouldn't be in the terrible financial trouble we're in.
The only thing SB 1070 does in Arizona is mandate that police officers enforce the law, and in fact they took an oath to do just that when they were sworn in. The only people that would have a problem with this law are the ones that have something to hide, LIKE BEING HERE ILLEGALLY. SB 1070 simply reiterates federal law, just as there are both federal and state laws for kidnapping, robbery and murder.
All police officers currently have the authority to arrest illegal aliens.
h t t p://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/8/usc_sec_08_00001324----000-.html
(c) Authority to arrest
No officer or person shall have authority to make any arrests for a violation of any provision of this section except officers and employees of the Service designated by the Attorney General, either individually or as a member of a class, and all other officers whose duty it is to enforce criminal laws.
I certainly hope that Tennessee will pass it's own version of SB 1070 in the very near future!
Bravo, Chasity! Excellent piece. BTW, with Tennessee added to the list, there are now at least 16 states considering a 1070-style law:
PA, ID, MD, SC, NC, MS, OK, CO, NE, MN, TX (Jan.), MO, UT, GA, IN and now TN
Still more states will join this list when 1070 passes the court challenge by the rabid anti-America pro-lawbreaker groups like the ACLU...
Do it, don't think about it. The states must defend themselves from a federal government intent on allowing the same banks and Wall Street criminals that have ruined this nation, to put the final nail in the coffin of the U.S. The plan is open borders and the elimination of the U.S. as we know it. The states must fight back. NO AMNESTY, NO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, NO OPEN BORDER, NO NORTH AMERICAN UNION AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE U.S.
How does an illegal look like? Maybe latin, because all comments that I've heard are about us the latin people. Another thing many people says " they're stealing jobs", but, would you work hard for the minimun wage? I don't agree with Kally she is treating them worse than animals, diseases? So they are the only people with diseases?
I support the new Arizona law. It is a role model for all states. Uphold the law!
The only thing SB 1070 does in Arizona is mandate that police officers enforce the law, and in fact they took an oath to do just that when they were sworn in. The only people that would have a problem with this law are the ones that have something to hide, LIKE BEING HERE ILLEGALLY. SB 1070 simply reiterates federal law, just as there are both federal and state laws for kidnapping, robbery and murder.
All police officers currently have the authority to arrest illegal aliens.
h t t p://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/8/usc_sec_08_00001324----000-.html
(c) Authority to arrest
No officer or person shall have authority to make any arrests for a violation of any provision of this section except officers and employees of the Service designated by the Attorney General, either individually or as a member of a class, and all other officers whose duty it is to enforce criminal laws.
I certainly hope that Tennessee will pass it's own version of SB 1070 in the very near future!
I want all borders secure!!!! the only people opposed are people who have family here who are no citizens, and are usually hispanic they think that it is about them , it is not it is about the security of the USA!!!!!! TEXAS, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND CANDADIAN BORDERS!!!!
Why don't we just follow Mexico's example of immigration? I sure those here illegally will be happy for us to follow Mexico's enlightened path.
In addition; those born here of illegals should not be rewarded with citizenship for their parents lawless activies; but since our government is without male parts I doubt any action will be taken. At least send the parents back and put the childern up for adoption. Would not want to send childern to a 3rd world country.
I read the law. America is becoming a Nation of Lawlessness. What was it? I think it was George Washington said, " We are a nation of Laws not of men." The Att. General has not read the law. He is the top law enforcement officer of the Fed. Govt. I.C.E has said they will not get immigrants from Arizona, and even the Homeland Sec. has read the law. I was listening to Pres. Caldernon speaking to Congress. He has not read thelaw.It makes you wonder what is going on???? I am with Arizona on this . I am Hispanic.
I THINK THAT S B1070 IS ALL BULL-- BECAUSE U.S.A IS MADE UP OF NOTHING BUT IMMIGRANTS.. CAUSE IF YOU READ YOUR HISTORY, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT. I THINK THAT IT IS AGAINST JUST THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY BECAUSE OFFICERS ARE NOT GOING TO STOP AN ASIAN, BRITISH, OR AN LIGHT SKIN PERSON. BUT THATS FINE KICK THEM OUT AND SEE WHAT HAPPEND. THEY THE ONES WHO DO MOST OF THE WORK FOR LESS PAY. I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD GET A CHANCE. I DO AGREE TO FIGHT CRIME BUT NOT THIS WAY IF THEY SAY THAT THERE IS A LOT OF DRUGS AND CRIME IN THE BORDER DUE TO THE MEXICAN CARTELS WELL JUST REMEMBER THAT IT TAKE TWO TO TANGO. THE MEXICAN PRODUCE IT BUT THE U.S.A CONSUMES IT...NO LIE....YOU WILL BE SUPRISE BY THE NUMBERS.....
Yes, this country is made up of Immigrants, BIG DEAL the time is now not 200 years ago, this country now has laws that make this country great, so follow them or get the hell out period we don't want you here!! I agree with Arizona's new law and hope TN does it as well! It is very simple to all and any illegal immigrants if you want to come here and live here do it the right way, follow this country's laws or leave, if you are going to break this country's law of immigration then how many others will you break?
wow- youre all backwards.
btw, stop frontin most of you know youre breaking at least one of your precious "laws", cuz yall must be smoking some good sht in order to think the way you do. That list you put up -kelly- and in which most of you really believe in- sounds like it was made by eugenicist. We're not a country of immigrants- we're a country of backwards racists!
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