Newschannel9.com | Jun. 29, 2010

Sheriffs To Check Arrestees' Status

Tennessee’s sheriffs have even more responsibilities.

Gov. Phil Bredesen signed a bill into law Monday that will require sheriffs to check the legal status of people who have been arrested.

Inmates who are found to be in the country illegally will have to be reported.

The bill is meant to combat illegal immigration, but it's drawing plenty of opposition from people who say it would target those from foreign countries.

"It doesn't really solve the problem of our broken immigration system, but in reality creates more problems for our sheriffs,” says Elias Feghalia of Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Sponsors say the bill is necessary because not all jurisdictions are sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they arrest someone.

The new law goes into effect in January.