TEXT OF AG OPINION

Here's the language of the AG opinion which states in clear terms that the legislature overstepped its authority.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RULES TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE'S NEW ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW INVALID

Tennessee AG Bob Cooper has issued a ruling invalidating a new state law forbidding the hiring of illegal immigrants because the law runs afoul of federal law.

TENNESSEAN REPORTS ON HOW STATE'S EMPLOYERS ARE TOUGHENING IMMIGRATION SCREENING

Janell Ross reports on the effort afoot in Tennessee to require the state's employers to participate in the Basic Pilot program.

BUILDERS ADJUSTING TO NEW IMMIGRATION LAWS

The Summit (CO) Daily News reports on the havoc being wreaked in the state's construction industry due to the state's crackdown on illegal immigration.

ARIZONA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OFFICERS ARRESTED FOR HIRING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

The president and eight company officers of Sun Dry Wall and Stucco, Inc. in Sierra Vista, Arizona, have been arrested for knowingly hiring undocumented workers and conspiring to obtain false documents for them. Ten workers were also arrested.

VAST MAJORITY OF NEW CONSTRUCTION JOBS FILLED BY HISPANICS

A new Pew Study shows that two of three new jobs in construction are filled by Hispanics, most of whom are foreign-born.

BILL GATES TO TESTIFY ON NEED FOR MORE HIGH TECH IMMIGRANTS

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has been to Capitol Hill several times in the last few years to push for companies having easier access to professional workers. He's back at 9:30 eastern time Wednesday to testify in front of the Senate's Health, Education and Labor committee.

SLEW OF ANTI-EMPLOYER IMMIGRATION BILLS PENDING IN TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) reports the following measures have been introduced in the legislature this session:

SB 202 by Ketron, HB 729 by Hood—Creates Class E felony for "recklessly" or "knowingly" hiring an undocumented immigrant.

SB 204 by Ketron, HB 727 by Hood—Makes knowingly employing an "individual who has illegally entered the United States" a Class A misdemeanor (currently a Class B misdemeanor); mandates that TN Department of Labor conduct study on the impact of illegal immigration on state and local governments.

SB 254 by Haynes, HB 74 by Turner—Requires employers to become immigration experts and affirmatively verify immigration status of employees.

SB 903 by Ketron, HB 1274 Lynn—Tax Relief for Undocumented Immigrants Act: prohibits immigrants from paying federal income tax with an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

SB 906 by Ketron, HB 1273 Lynn—Requires public employers to check immigrant work authorizations with Basic Pilot program.

SB 931 by Ketron, HB 429 by DuBois—Eliminates excise/franchise tax credits for any person who knowingly hires an immigrant "who is not authorized to be present in the United States."

SB 1240 by Kilby, HB 1639 by Ferguson —Allows revocation of license for any business assessed federal penalty for employing an undocumented immigrant; creates $10,000 fine for knowingly employing an "individual who has illegally entered the United States."

SB 1581 by Herron, HB 684 by Fitzhugh—Creates Class A misdemeanor for "recklessly" or "knowingly" hiring an undocumented immigrant.

SB 1739 by Ketron, HB 1322 by West —Creates special licensing requirements for the hospitality industry.

SB 1870 by Johnson, HB 877 by Johnson P—Requires employers to become immigration experts and affirmatively verify immigration status of employees.

NEW BEDFORD MANUFACTURER AND MANAGERS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRING TO ENCOURAGE ILLEGAL ALIENS TO RESIDE IN U.S. THROUGH HIRING

Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced today a raid at defense contractor Michael Bianco, Inc. (MBI) in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The owner and three managers were arrested and another was arrested on charges of providing fraudulent identification documents to workers at the factory.

According to ICE, hundreds of MBI employees are now being interviewed to determine their immigration status. Those in unlawful status will be put in immigration proceedings.