Groups voice opposition to immigration enforcement legislation

by Associated Press

Published: March 27,2012

Tags: bill, cities, county government, foreign workers, illegal immigrants, immigrants, immigration, law, law enforcement, lawmakers, municipal government, municipalities, police, sheriff, state government, supervisors, towns, trade associations, workers

JACKSON — Four influential groups in Mississippi say they’re opposing an immigration enforcement bill because of unanswered questions about how it would affect police agencies and local government.

The Associated Press obtained a letter sent to senators yesterday by the heads of the Mississippi Municipal League and the associations of sheriffs, police chiefs and county supervisors.

The letter raises questions about whether local law-enforcement agencies would have to keep interpreters on staff and whether violent offenders would have to be released from jail to make room for illegal immigrants. It also says the bill could force increases in local taxes.

House Bill 488 has passed the House. By late yesterday, it had not yet been assigned to a Senate committee. It faces an April 3 deadline for Senate committee consideration.