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THP Could Get Same Immigration Enforcement Powers as Davidson County Sheriff WPLN The State Senate approved a bill last night to let the Highway Patrol to enforce immigration law. It would allow the state to be part of a federal program called 287-G being pioneered now in the Davidson County sheriff’s office. Senator Mark Norris, a Memphis Republican, sponsored the bill and says it underwrites a process begun last fall by the state administration. “This will allow the state to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the federal government to train the state highway patrol in Immigration and Custom Enforcement practices. It’s a big step forward in our ability to help police the state against drug runners, slave traders, and that sort of thing.” Norris and Governor Phil Bredesen have arm-wrestled over the proper wording since last year. At that time, Republicans wanted the state to enforce immigration law. That was before Bredesen announced that he had given up on the federal government enforcing the law. The final wording of the bill “allows” the state to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security but “requires” the state to keep one immigration trained officer in each of its eight highway patrol districts. The program would screen inmates in county jails, not every person stopped for speeding. The Safety Department first applied for the immigration enforcement powers in October. Paperwork has moved through the district office to Homeland Security in Washington. The state bill is said to “facilitate a prompt processing of the paperwork.” It’s now in a subcommittee in the state House. |
