SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. -- Egypt is about as far away from Shelbyville, Tenn., as you can get, but the two seem closer these days.

"We're probably anticipating a big crowd to start to live in Shelbyville," said Father Boutros Boutros.

Boutros leads a congregation of about 1,700 families. Recently, dozens more arrived in Nashville from Egypt on temporary visas. Some of them have already been hired by Tyson Foods in Shelbyville.

"We used to have people coming every week from Egypt," said Boutros. "They find work very soon. Nowadays, we have people that have been here for three or four months without work."

Boutrous Boutros won't find much sympathy from Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray. Ray is urging Tyson Foods to consider hiring locals first, saying it's his job to take care of the people of Bedford County.

Ray said he has met with representatives from Tyson Foods and that he told them he realizes he can't make them hire locals.

Tyson told Ray they hire through referrals from the Tennessee Department of Labor.

Several years ago, some Tyson executives were indicted for hiring illegal immigrants.

On Monday, police and state troopers were called when minor skirmishes broke out at the local unemployment office. Many of the people showing up for work were from other countries.

Most of the people were hoping to get a job at Tyson. Fliers around town promised $500 signing bonuses and competitive benefit plans.

Tyson said there are some jobs available, but those positions belonged to people who left voluntarily, and there are only a few.

"I've filled out applications for places that are hiring, and I haven't heard anything back yet," said Glen Campbell, who has been out of work since January.

Boutros is hoping to expand his congregation in a job market that appears to be bursting at the seams.