The U.S. Supreme Court building.NASHVILLE — Tennessee supporters of laws cracking down on illegal immigrants are hailing Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upholds a key provision in Arizona’s get-tough approach.
But the high court’s decision is generating concern from the state’s immigrant community, where members say they fear it will encourage “mean-spirited” state lawmakers to push for new laws.
In their decision, Supreme Court justices struck down much of Arizona’s law, including a section requiring police to arrest people on immigration charges. But in an 8-0 vote, the court upheld — at least for now — a provision that requires police to check the immigration status of suspects stopped for other reasons and are suspected of being in the country illegally.
“The most important provision, at least for the state of Tennessee, was upheld,” said Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lacassas, who sponsored similar legislation in Tennessee’s 107th General Assembly but failed to get it passed.
Carr, who has pushed any number of bills targeting illegal immigrants, said he needs to read the court’s full decision before deciding whether to proceed with his bill next year. But he said he “very likely” would push ahead after discussing the issue with Republican Gov. Bill Haslam and GOP legislative leaders.