Gov. Phil Bredesen on Tuesday issued an Executive Order "to help ensure that all businesses entering into contracts with state government fully comply with prohibitions against employing illegal immigrants."

Gov. Bredesen said, “It is clear the lure of employment is a primary factor that attracts illegal immigrants to our country and to our state. State law prohibits individuals and businesses in Tennessee from knowingly employing individuals who have illegally entered the United States. That’s why I signed today’s Executive Order, which outlines specific steps to ensure that those who do business with the state do not knowingly hire illegal immigrants.”

Executive Order No. 41 requires executive agencies within Tennessee’s government to spot check the personnel records of state contractors and subcontractors and issue fines to businesses that employ illegal labor. This move strengthens Public Chapter No. 878, which Bredesen signed in June, to prohibit state contracts for businesses and individuals that knowingly employ illegal labor. While the law takes effect in January, many of its provisions will be immediately implemented through today’s executive action.

Earlier Tuesday, Bredesen joined Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall and other county enforcement officials as they announced their request to the federal government to allow them to identify, process and detain illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

Additionally, Bredesen described his plan to provide a state-level point of contact through the Tennessee Highway Patrol that local law enforcement can use to obtain information about suspected illegal immigrants they encounter during the course of their regular duties.

Earlier this month, Bredesen outlined a four-point plan for addressing illegal immigration: help secure the nation’s borders; punish employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants; fill the enforcement gap created by the federal government and protect Tennessee taxpayers to ensure that illegal immigrants are not a drain on public resources, his office said.

In June, Bredesen signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas to send National Guard troops to patrol and secure the Southwestern border. Since then, 547 Tennessee troops have deployed to participate in “Operation Jump Start,” the first wave of what is expected to be an ongoing rotation of troops to support the mission.