Image Credit: rawpixel.com / Public Domain & TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A Republican-sponsored bill entitled the “One America Act” which appears to be a soft amnesty bill allowing some illegal aliens to obtain a temporary visa in Tennessee will not be considered any further for this legislative session. But the bill sponsors are pushing to have more discussion on the topic over the summer, indicating they may intend to pursue the legislation again next year.
HB1925/SB2037 requires “every person” who has resided in the state for more than 30 days and is not “lawfully present” in the U.S. to register with the Tennessee Department of Safety and submit to an interview wherein the department will determine if the illegal alien is eligible to receive a “one-year visa for re-entry into the United States and to this state”.
According to the bill text, the department must make a decision within 30 days of the interview, and if an individual is deemed eligible, they must leave the U.S. within 90 days of notification and only have to stay outside the country for 30 days before re-entry to the U.S. and Tennessee. Upon their return, so long as the alien does not commit a criminal offense within their one-year visa period they will be eligible to apply for a permanent resident card.
The bill does not specify how the Department of Safety could possibly ensure that “every person” illegally present registers, why it only applies to illegals who have been in the state for more than a month, or what criteria the department would be using to determine eligibility for re-entry. Nor does it indicate how the state will enforce the provision requiring ineligible aliens to leave the country.
In the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee, bill sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso said the bill “seeks to reimagine the way we handle immigration enforcement in the country.”
He believes the Tennessee legislature needs to “develop a partnership with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service about how to handle immigration matters in Tennessee.”
“As many of you know, the federal government has completely preempted the area of immigration with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, leaving state governments almost powerless to do anything with regard to immigration, either having folks come in or having folks leave,” Bulso continued.
“And we have developed something of a partnership with the White House through our Republican caucus leadership, and that’s served as, I think, a good model. So, what my hope is that over the course of the summer, we can use our state departments of safety and homeland security, working with USCIS, to bring us back to a place where we truly have one America, we don’t have one part of society that is visible and another part that is in the shadow, that lives in fear, that’s invisible,” he concluded.
Ultimately, Bulso requested the legislation be sent to a summer study, where committee members can gather to hear testimony, research, and hold further discussion to decide if the bill is viable to pursue in the next legislative session.
The Senate version of the bill, SB2037, has been General Subbed, meaning it will no longer be considered this year.
SB2307 raised concerns because of its sponsorship by Sen. Todd Gardenhire, whose record shows him consistently voting against immigration enforcement legislation and publicly defending pro-illegal immigration positions.
Those against allowing illegal aliens to be granted legal status can remove this bill from their watchlist for now but may wish to keep their eye on this or similar legislation in 2027 as a new General Assembly begins.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
