Adult Formation Comprehensive Message

IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM TENNESSEE CATHOLIC PUBLIC POLICY COMMISSION

The Catholic Public Policy Commission Strongly Opposes HB270/ SB1141
Our last chance to prevent this bill from becoming law is to ask Governor Bredesen to VETO!

HB670/SB1141 Summary: As introduced, requires a keeper of a jail to notify the department of homeland security by facsimile transmission or other means of prisoners whose citizenship status in this country cannot be determined at time of arrest from documents in the prisoner's possession or if person is in this country illegally
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Catholic Social Teachings: Solidarity: We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological difference. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want to peace, work for justice.” The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our brothers and sisters demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.

Why this legislation is bad: Immigration Law is extremely complex requiring specialized knowledge and expertise. There are dozens of different types of lawful status. It is important to note that people do not carry their citizenship or legal documents on them. Immigration is a federal responsibility. We need the Federal Immigration Reform!

Immigration work diverts scarce law enforcement resources away from the core mission and responsibilities of local law enforcement agencies. Local Law Enforcement officers should not get involved with the enforcement of federal immigration law. Local involvement in the federal immigration law can erode the trust between the community and the local law enforcement agencies. Local involvement in federal immigration law undermines the building of strong, inclusive communities.

The bill does not define “reasonable effort” to review documents in the possession of the person. What does that mean? It is too vague and leaves too much discretion in the hands of the jail staff/officers. This type of legislation can foster and/or lead to racial profiling of defendants who look or sound foreign unless they are implemented in a non-discriminatory way.

This bill is written to apply to every person that is arrested for any offense and is confined. That means that jail staff/officers must review documents of every person arrested and confined; they cannot be selective. And only review those documents of people that appear foreign to them. If they do so they will be violating both federal and state laws and will likely be sued and have to defend their practices in court.

What You Can Do NOW: Contact the Governor at:
Phone: 615.741.2001
Fax: 615.532.9711
Email: Phil.Bredesen@tn.gov

RCIA, Why Catholic, Adult Formation, and Young Adults

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