Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A Tennessee bill that could give lifetime sentences to illegal immigrants for committing violent crimes continues to make progress in the state House.
Yesterday, the House Criminal Justice Committee voted to pass the bill onto Finance, Ways and Means in a voice vote at the behest of Committee Chair Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2).
Sponsored by Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32), House Bill 1872 (HB1872) had an amendment added during the committee meeting which changes the bill slightly from the version that was discussed last week in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
The bill originally aimed to enhance the penalty for violent crimes committed by adults on school grounds whether it be a public or private K-12 school or any school of higher education. That has now been narrowed to only schools serving K-12 students.
In addition, the bill as now amended focuses on felonies committed by illegal immigrants. The previous version included a few misdemeanors according to Fritts.
If the bill becomes law, courts would be given leeway to enhance the penalty for certain felonies committed by those who were in the country illegally at the time of the criminal act. Those who could be given life in prison without the possibility of parole are defendants who committed a violent crime while in the country illegally, illegal aliens who committed a felony that involved the use or display of a deadly weapon, or any adult committing violent acts on the grounds of a K-12 school while students or other children are present.
Along with Senate Bill 2770 sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), the proposed law aims to deter those who would come across the southern United States border from making their way to Tennessee to engage in drug or human trafficking. By stiffening the penalty for violent crimes linked to these activities, the sponsors hope to make the state a less sought out location for illegal aliens with criminal intent.
SB2770 was scheduled to be heard in the Judiciary Committee yesterday but was deferred until today.
As in last week’s House Criminal Justice Subcommittee meeting, only Democrats appeared to be against the bill. From the video of the Criminal Justice Committee meeting, two Democrats Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-District 90) and Representative G.A. Hardaway (D-Memphis-District 93) are seen alerting the Clerk to record their vote as no.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.