Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Tennessee Senate passed two immigration-related bills on Monday, one requiring local government agencies to perform citizenship checks on those applying for public benefits and another mandating that all government entities use the E-Verify system to confirm the legal status of prospective employees.
SB1915– Requires local government agencies that distribute benefits to check immigration status
Under this legislation, existing mandates requiring governmental entities to verify the citizenship or legal residency in the U.S. of anyone who is 18 years or older applying for federal, state, or local public benefits would be expanded to include local government agencies like towns, cities, counties, and local health departments.
If applicants do not present appropriate documentation to prove citizenship, they must be reported to the state’s Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division, and local agencies that fail to comply could be subject to investigation by the Attorney General and potentially funding cuts.
Additionally, public employees who do not comply with the requirements could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
During Monday’s Senate floor session, Democrat Sen. Jeff Yarbro stated he was concerned the legislation could be interpreted to apply to other public service agencies like homeless shelters or libraries, despite the legislation specifically referring to public benefits distributed through a local government agency.
“I’m a little concerned about the scope of what counts as a ‘benefit’ here… Benefit seems like it could be pretty broad. I mean if someone who’s trying to enter a homeless shelter or applies for a library card or tries to get their kid registered for a sports league, are they subject to this? Or is it just for those, sort of, financial things?” Yarbro asked.
Other Democrats objected to the legislation while a few Republicans spoke in favor of the bill, saying it is not an unreasonable thing for local governments to do, especially when state-level entities are already required to adhere to this standard and many local entities already perform these checks.
The vote was 26-6 with Republican Todd Gardenhire (sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov) joining five Democrats in voting “No.”
In the House, companion bill HB1710 is scheduled for the House State & Local Government Committee for today, March 31. Contact info for the committee members can be found at the end of this article.
SB1922– Requires state and local government to verify citizenship of prospective employees
This legislation would reiterate and clarify already existing legal requirements for all state and local government employers, including counties, cities, and local school systems, to use the federal E-Verify program when confirming the work authorization of employees.
As an enforcement mechanism, local governments and school systems would also be prohibited from adopting policies or rules that conflict with the requirement, and the state Attorney General’s office would be granted enforcement authority through the withholding of state funding.
The Senate conformed to the House version of the bill, HB1705, and voted 26-5 along party lines in favor of the legislation.
It will now proceed to the Governor for his signature into law.
House State & Local Government Committee– HB1710 to be heard March 31.
HB1710 Requires local government agencies that distribute benefits to check immigration status
Rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov; rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov; rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.michael.lankford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.leatherwood@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jake.mccalmon@capitol.tn.gov; rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov; rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.iris.rudder@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov
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.
