One Tennessee lawmaker invoked Jesus, and a Republican admitted he agrees with President Joe Biden on at least one thing during discussions this month on a bill aimed at unauthorized immigrants in the state.
On Monday, lawmakers approved the bill, which is awaiting a signature from Gov. Bill Lee. It would require Tennessee law enforcement officers to report to federal authorities when they know someone in their custody is an unauthorized immigrant.
It also requires local agencies to cooperate with federal efforts to identify, detain and deport unauthorized immigrants.
Supporters of the bill said it would help enforce immigration policy and keep U.S. citizens safe, and opponents said it could put an extra burden on local officers and has the potential to unfairly target immigrants.
(READ MORE: Bill would mandate Tennessee officers to report immigration status of people in custody)
Quotes from lawmakers and community advocates show how some Tennesseans feel about the new legislation, which is awaiting the governor's signature before becoming law:
1. "What would Jesus do?"
Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis: "Mr. Speaker, we've heard about, you know, what would Jesus do? I will tell you, he did go into the temple and became angry and ran the money-changers out of the temple."
Taylor, one of the bill's sponsors, said this during a discussion on the Senate floor Monday, after Nashville Democratic Sen. Heidi Campbell said senators were talking about immigrants as if they were less than human. Campbell asked the floor, "What would Jesus do?"
Taylor's response references a story told in the New Testament of the Bible, when Jesus ran people out who were turning the temple in Jerusalem into a "den of thieves" and "house of trade" rather than a place of prayer.
(READ MORE: Bible bill sent to Tennessee governor)
2. "You are racist"
After Taylor mentioned Jesus running the money-changers out of the temple, someone in the Senate gallery yelled out, "You are racist."
That person was ordered to be removed from the gallery by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge.
3. "A lot of questions"
Judith Clerjeune, policy and advocacy director for the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition: "What we know is that the community has a lot of questions, a lot of people are afraid and confused about what this means for their family and their safety."
Clerjeune, who was involved in organizing against the bill, said this in a phone call Tuesday after it passed its final vote in the Statehouse.
4. "Immigrants of all standing"
Vivian Lozano, director of social impact at La Paz, a Chattanooga nonprofit that serves the Latino community: "This is focused on federal immigration, but it impacts immigrants of all standing. This isn't just focused on undocumented individuals, this will impact documented individuals, individuals that are going through the process. And so that's also our concern."
In a phone interview Tuesday, Lozano said this while talking about the potential effects of the bill on immigrants living in the Chattanooga area.
5. "I agree with President Biden"
Rep. Rusty Grills, R-Newbern, a co-sponsor of the bill: "I'm going to surprise some of you here, because I actually agree with President Biden on an issue involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Two weeks ago, on Feb. 28, the White House spokesperson stated, 'We welcome local law enforcement support and cooperation in apprehending and removing individuals who pose a national security risk in public safety. When a local jurisdiction has information about an individual who could pose a threat to public safety, we want them to share that information with ICE.'
"I agree with Joe Biden on that issue."
Grills said this on the House floor March 14, after listing recent crimes committed by people who entered the country outside the legal process, including the February slaying of University of Georgia student Laken Riley.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.