Tennessee introduces suite of immigration enforcement bills
Nashville Banner • • nation
Key Points:
- Tennessee Republican leaders introduced an eight-bill package aligned with the Trump Administration to intensify immigration enforcement by restricting undocumented immigrants' access to public services, criminalizing illegal presence, and penalizing local officials who do not comply with federal immigration efforts.
- The legislation mandates use of the federal E-Verify system for all new hires and requires local governments to verify immigration status before granting access to public benefits, with penalties including withholding state funds and misdemeanor charges for noncompliance.
- One bill criminalizes being in Tennessee unlawfully after a final deportation order, establishing a Class A misdemeanor punishable by jail time and fines, while other proposed laws target undocumented drivers through new misdemeanor charges and restrictions on vehicle registration.
- The package also includes provisions to require cooperation
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