TN Senate Passes Bill Opening Door For Non-US Citizens To Receive Professional Licenses (Update 4.22.22)
****Update 4/22/22 – Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally have both signed the legislation. The bill will now head to Governor Lee for signing, veto, or to be allowed to pass into law without his signature.
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
In their regular calendar meeting on Thursday, Tennessee senators voted to pass an amended caption bill that would pave the way for non-US citizens to obtain professional and commercial licenses in the state.
According to bill sponsor Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro-District 14), “this is primarily a workforce issue bill supported by the business community that allows anyone that is federally authorized to work in the state of Tennessee, that has a valid work permit, to be eligible for a professional license.”
Prior to the presentation of the bill, companion House Bill 2309 was substituted, and both amendments were withdrawn.
Reeves continued, after introducing the bill, “This legislation is in no way a benefit for illegal aliens that are crossing our borders currently and are living in the dark of night in our state. This bill in no way serves as a magnet for illegal aliens that are currently crossing the border to come to our state to obtain these licenses. This bill in no way changes any current individual’s immigration status. This bill only applies to students, DACA students, that are lawfully present in Tennessee, that are federally authorized to work, they have a driver’s license, they have social security cards, and they are currently paying taxes. These individuals have been trained and educated in Tennessee schools and universities, many times paying for It with their own cash. They’ve been trained as nurses, realtors, electricians, barbers, accountants, plumbers, and even architects. They have a diploma, but they cannot get a license.”
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Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28) issued a rebuttal, saying that they were still here illegally, even if they came as children. He continued, saying that he didn’t “think it’s a good idea to be giving them licenses.”
“They have a legal status to work here…they are legal right now,” stated Senator Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville-District 6).
Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield-District 25) also expressed concern, not over the bill itself, but the way it was being done. His suggestion was to reconsider the changing of Title 4 and to go about achieving the same results with a different method.
Giving support to the bill was Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18). “I stand in support of this,” Haile stated.
Reeves closed out his presentation of the bill by stating, “We just don’t believe that the best way to get out of poverty and get ahead in our state is by building a dependency on government programs…the conservative approach to getting out of poverty is to stay out of trouble, get a good education, go to high school, go to college, make good grades, get a job that’s in line with your passions and your abilities, then get a job and work your rear end off for about a decade and you will be out of poverty. That is the American dream and that is the conservative approach, in my opinion, on giving opportunities to young people that want to get ahead.”
When the vote was taken, there were 20 ayes and 7 nayes, with one senator abstaining from the vote.
Republicans voting in favor of the bill: Mike Bell, Richard Briggs, Todd Gardenhire, Ferrell Haile, Brian Kelsey, Jon Lundberg, Becky Duncan Massey, Frank Niceley, Bill Powers, Shane Reeves, Art Swann, Page Walley, Ken Yager, and Mr. Speaker Randy McNally
Republicans voting against the bill: Janice Bowling, Rusty Crowe, Joey Hensley, Jack Johnson, Mark Pody, Kerry Roberts, and Dawn White
Republicans present but not voting: Ed Jackson
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
I don’t agree, no illegal, ( I don’t care how long they have been here} should be rewarded in any way.
Looks to me like the TN GOPe is opening the door to illegal aliens accessing all employment areas. What’s next – can they work as Hwy Patrol officers? How about other LEO agencies? How will they be distinguished from other so called DACA (and this is just another fake term for illegal aliens) that invade our country? The number of stolen identities in the state is high. And those most affected are those of hispanic/latino names. They are the ones who get ripped off the most by those condoning and promoting this illegality.
Illegals are just that, don’t care how long they have been here. They should not get and license, free schooling, free college, free housing , free food or anything. They shouldn’t be here and the citizens are paying their way. They are getting a free ride to getting that license. No bad bill.
Joe is a DACA, Joe starts a business
Joe hires his wife
Joe hires his Illegal cousin
Joe hires his Illegal cousins illegal friends
And so it goes
Every employee that does not have a US birth certificate MUST go through E-VERIFY
The minimum limit of 5 employees does nothing but make Tennessee a magnet state for illegals