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Submitted by Tony Adams [Constitutional Liberties Commission of TN] –
As constitutional conservatives, we believe that a government’s primary duty is to safeguard its citizens and uphold the rule of law.
Yet, in Tennessee, we are witnessing an alarming rise in illegal immigration and a disturbing lack of decisive action from some members of our state legislature. This crisis not only threatens the sovereignty of our state but also undermines the very principles upon which our nation was founded.
The federal government’s failure to secure our southern border has had direct consequences here in Tennessee. Illegal aliens are entering our state in increasing numbers, placing immense pressure on our infrastructure, schools, healthcare systems, and law enforcement. While states like Texas and Florida have taken bold steps to address this crisis, our legislature has, in many ways, dragged its feet, leaving Tennesseans vulnerable and footing the bill for Washington’s failures.
The Constitutional Conservative Perspective
At the heart of this issue lies the fundamental principle of national sovereignty. Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly states that the federal government must protect states from invasion. When the federal government fails in this duty—as it has with the border crisis—it falls to state governments to take action. Tennessee has the constitutional authority and obligation to protect its citizens from the consequences of illegal immigration.
The Tennessee General Assembly has, in recent years, taken some commendable steps in this direction. Measures have been passed to prevent sanctuary cities in our state, a victory for those of us who believe in the rule of law. In 2018, the Tennessee State Legislature passed a law banning local governments from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, ensuring that our law enforcement officers could continue to work with ICE to remove dangerous criminal aliens from our communities.
However, while these actions are a step in the right direction, they are not enough. We have seen too many legislative sessions come and go without addressing the real root of the problem: illegal aliens are still living and working in Tennessee, benefiting from services paid for by law-abiding taxpayers. This is unacceptable.
The Legislative Inaction on Key Issues
For too long, certain lawmakers in Tennessee have been willing to look the other way, unwilling to tackle the illegal immigration issue head-on. Take, for example, the failure to pass mandatory E-Verify laws for all businesses in the state. E-Verify is a simple, effective system that allows employers to check the legal status of potential hires, ensuring that jobs go to legal residents and U.S. citizens, not illegal aliens.
In 2021, a bill was introduced in the Tennessee legislature that would have required all employers to use E-Verify, but it stalled due to opposition from the business lobby and lack of political will. This is an unacceptable abdication of responsibility. By allowing businesses to hire illegal aliens, we incentivize more illegal immigration and depress wages for hardworking Tennesseans. A failure to enforce the law in the workplace is a failure to defend the dignity of lawful citizens who should not be competing with illegal labor. 2023 the “TLEA” is made law. Requires private employers OVER 35 employees to use E-Verify.
Another glaring oversight is the lack of action on securing Tennessee’s own resources and funding. Tennesseans are paying for the education, healthcare, and other services that illegal aliens consume. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office estimated that it costs taxpayers tens of millions annually to provide K-12 education to the children of illegal immigrants. While we recognize the need to care for children, we must also ask why Tennesseans are being forced to shoulder this financial burden when Washington continues to neglect its duty.
A Call to Action
The time for half-measures is over. Our state legislature must take bold, uncompromising steps to address illegal immigration in Tennessee. First and foremost, we need mandatory E-Verify across all sectors, ensuring that illegal aliens are not taking jobs that belong to legal residents. Furthermore, we must revisit how public benefits are allocated, ensuring that taxpayer-funded services are reserved for those legally entitled to them.
Second, Tennessee must increase cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. While sanctuary cities have been banned, we need to ensure that every sheriff and police department in this state is actively working with ICE to identify and deport criminal aliens. Our state should provide additional funding to support these efforts and make Tennessee an unwelcoming place for illegal activity.
Finally, we need to push back against the Biden/Harris administration’s lawless immigration policies by taking legal action where necessary. States like Arizona and Texas have set a precedent for challenging federal overreach in court. Tennessee must join them in holding the federal government accountable for its dereliction of duty.
The Consequences of Inaction
If our legislature fails to act, the consequences for Tennessee will be dire. We will see increased strain on our schools, hospitals, and public services. Crime will rise, as has been documented in other states where illegal immigration is rampant. Worst of all, we will send a message that Tennessee is a state that tolerates lawlessness and disregards the rule of law.
Our state leaders have a choice to make: either they stand with law-abiding citizens, protecting our borders and upholding the Constitution, or they continue to allow illegal aliens to live and work in Tennessee, undermining our laws and our sovereignty.
As constitutional conservatives, we know which side we’re on. We demand that our state legislature act swiftly and decisively to address the illegal immigration crisis. The future of Tennessee—and the integrity of our nation—depends on it.
2 Responses
You need to follow up with the most EFFECTIVE strategy for pressuring the RINOs in the General Assembly to ACT!
I will also add that it’s becoming more clear by the day that there are DARK forces at work trying their damndest to oust any and all true Conservatives from the General Assembly – by any means necessary. These Conservatives have been our only stopgap at preventing the flood. It’s beyond obvious that the takedown of America and the replacement of its citizens is in full effect!