Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi House Judiciary B Committee will consider an anti-immigration measure called the Mississippi Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.

Rep. Becky Currie, R-Brookhaven, introduced the HB 488, which criminalizes the "failure to complete and carry an alien registration document," requires public schools to determination the immigration status of enrolling students and prevents "illegal aliens" from doing business with the state.

The proposed law mirrors similar laws aimed at cracking down on immigrants living in the state without necessary documentation that were passed in Arizona, Alabama and South Carolina in recent years.

The text of the bill assert that a "compelling interest" exists for the enforcement of federal immigration laws in the state. It requires law enforcement officials to determine the immigration status whenever there is "reasonable suspicion" that a person is an "alien and is unlawfully present in the U.S." but prohibits an official from considering race, color, or national origin in enforcing the act's provisions. The act also indemnifies police officers who enforce the law.

During the 2011 legislative session, Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, introduced a similar bill would have also prohibited state or local officials from restricting local sheriffs' and police departments' enforcement of federal immigration law. Fillingane's bill passed the Senate but stalled in the then-Democratic controlled House.

This morning's Jud B Committee hearing is expected to take place shortly after the House convenes at 9 a.m. in Room 113 at the Capitol.

Previous Comments

ID

167143

Comment

E-Verify is sweeping the nation as the most effective tool to weed out millions of illegal workers from American jobs. if you are an illegal, your days in our United States are numbered.

Author

Buzz Mills

Date

2012-02-25T11:49:03-06:00