NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen signed a controversial immigration bill into law Monday.
The law requires local law enforcement agencies to contact federal immigration officials if the citizenship of a person in custody can not be confirmed within three days. Under the agreement, no counties are exempt, and jailers wouldn't have to deport anyone.
"I believe there has been significant political posturing on this issue. While I do have concerns about this legislation, this bill seeks to set up a verification process similar to what exists in our state's major cities, and I have been supportive of these efforts," said Bredesen in a statement.
The governor talked about the subject after the "Lead Tennessee" leadership summit on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Bredesen told NewsChannel 5 how he felt about the bill.
"I'm a little concerned at how many and how much chest-thumping is going on on this subject right now and I want to take a look at it," said Bredesen.
The bill passed the Tennessee legislature in May.
Last week, Bredesen allowed a resolution commending Arizona on that state's controversial new immigration law to be transmitted without his signature.
The Arizona law requires authorities to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally. The Tennessee resolution, passed earlier this month, congratulates Arizona lawmakers and Gov. Jan Brewer for "their actions to protect their citizens and the borders of our great nation."
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
