Immigration Poltics: Kentucky panel OKs crackdown on illegal immigrants

The paranoia over immigrants spreads

Kentucky panel OKs crackdown on illegal immigrants - Bloomberg: "FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) —Kentucky lawmakers took a first step Thursday toward a crackdown on illegal immigrants, advancing a bill that would give police broad authority to check the immigration status of people they stop.

In its first test of support, the measure cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on an 8-3 vote after a lengthy discussion in which one opponent branded it as a '12th century bill of rights.'

The bill now heads to the full Senate, where it has the support of Republican leaders who set the chamber's agenda. The legislation is an outgrowth of a controversial Arizona immigration law that is facing legal challenge.

The Kentucky rendition would allow law enforcement officers to determine the immigration status of someone when 'reasonable suspicion' exists that the person is an illegal immigrant.

The proposal would allow police to arrest illegal immigrants on trespassing charges for setting foot in Kentucky.

That tough approach was hailed by northern Kentucky tea party activist Jim Dugan, who told the committee: 'These are people that commit criminal acts. So how you can defend criminals is beyond me.'" Jan. 6, 2011