Tennessee ranks as one of worst states in the treatment of undocumented human beings

A new report on state-by-state policy concerning the treatment of undocumented human beings places the state of Tennessee near the bottom with Mississippi and Utah. Congratulations.

http://www.progressivestates.org/content/903

The report actually is a most positive one for the rest of the nation. It is entitled "The Anti-Immigrant Movement that Failed: Positive Integration Policies by State Governments Still Far Outweigh Punitive Policies Aimed at New Immigrants"

Progressive States Network "aims to transform the political landscape by sparking progressive actions at the state level. Founded in 2005, the group provides coordinated research and strategic advocacy tools to state legislators and their staffs, empowering these decision-makers with everything they need to engineer forward-thinking change. Progressive States also works with non-profits and a variety of constituent groups to build a swath of support for coordinated progressive policy. The overarching goals: to get good policy passed into law and change the way issues are debated in the states."

The study examines legislative records for the states and does not factor in the heinous 287 deportation program now ongoing in Metro Nashville because of the sheriff and soon across the state with the Tennessee Highway Patrol because of the governor. That legal entity(THP) has not even been able to police itself.

So if you look Hispanic and/or American Indian and choose to drive in Tennessee, be warned. And the same goes for Nashville. You would best avoid both places to keep you and your family safe. More than 1,500 people legally in this country have been detained for hours and questioned by Nashville authorities. With the THP, citizenship does not matter. It has a record of stopping more Hispanic-Americans and American Indians for traffic offenses and questioning than white and black Americans.

Below is the ring of shame for bottom states in treating undocumented human beings and their families. Population guesses for each state are woefully inaccurate and on the low side. And if you'll notice, these states with the most punitive public policy share a commonality in the lack of a well-funded public education system.

And notice the absence of Arkansas from the list. Why?

Arkansas has a strong Democratic Party thanks to the Clintons, and they have established a strong value system in the treatment of people of color.

The state also has a strong Catholic bishop, who distinguished himself in the fight against punitive policy in Oklahoma before being installed as the bishop of Little Rock.

Georgia
225,000 undocumented human beings in 2005.

Mississippi
27,500 undocumented human beings in 2005.

Missouri
70,000 undocumented human beings in 2005.

Oklahoma
70,000 undocumented human beings in 2005

South Carolina
27,500 undocumented human beings in 2005

Tennessee
125,000 undocumented human beings in 2005

Utah
70,000 undocumented human beings in 2005