Press Release - Phil Flip-Flops on Illegal Immigration

Press Release - Phil Flip-Flops on Illegal Immigration

Bredesen reverses rhetoric but takes no action on criminal illegals

(NASHVILLE, TN) - Seventy days after declaring that state law enforcement should have no role in fighting problems caused by illegal immigration, Governor Phil Bredesen yesterday applauded Davidson County officials who are addressing crimes committed by illegal immigrants. State Senator and GOP gubernatorial nominee Jim Bryson (R-Franklin) helped pass legislation in April to combat the problem but Bredesen defeated the bill in the House after publicly denouncing it.

"Sheriff Daron Hall is to be commended for stepping up to solve Davidson County's serious public safety issues with violent crime committed by illegal immigrants," said Sen. Bryson. "However, the problem is statewide and Bredesen fought hard to stop laws that would have removed criminal illegal immigrants from Tennessee."

"The Governor spent two months helping to kill legislation that could have jailed and deported criminal illegal immigrants statewide," said Bryson spokesman Lance Frizzell. "Now he appears at a county sheriff's press conference to mouth support yet refuses to explain his previous opposition. Unfortunately for Tennesseans concerned about illegal immigration, only the Governor's words have flip-flopped."

The state Senate passed legislation in April that would have required state law enforcement to turn over to federal authorities illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Bredesen vigorously opposed Senate Bill 2426 and spoke out several times against it, even though federal grants - not state dollars - would have covered the cost of the program.

Just 10 days ago, Democrat Party Chairman Bob Tuke admitted publicly that he too worked with pro-illegal immigrant groups to kill the legislation.

http://www.brysonforgovernor.com/news/show.asp?id=44