From Occidental Dissent…
We have known for several months now that Mississippi is one of the most likely states to pass an Arizona-style immigration law in 2011. Now we have cleared the first major hurdle.
Earlier this afternoon, the Mississippi Senate passed an Arizona-style immigration law. The bill passed 34 to 15 after four hours of debate. Sen. Fillingane succeeded in pushing the bill through committee and through a critical floor vote.
Tea Party activists in Mississippi attended a Senate committee meeting to show support for the bill. They cheered from the gallery as one Democratic attempt after another to kill the bill with amendments failed.
The restrictionist package deal also includes an extension of E-Verify, tougher penalties for employers of illegal aliens, and criminalizes sanctuary cities.
The legislation now heads to the Mississippi House where it faces an uncertain fate. Undoubtedly, House Democrats will attempt to obstruct passage as they did in the Senate.
