Image Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –
Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) has introduced a bill in the Tennessee House dealing with the transportation of illegal aliens into the state of Tennessee and applicable fines for doing so.
House Bill 2078 (HB2078) “As introduced, prohibits any person from transporting an illegal alien into this state; increases from $1,000 to $5,000 the fine for transporting illegal aliens. – Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.”
As HB2078 has been introduced, another bill – House Bill 1247 (HB1247) – dealing with the prohibition of housing illegal aliens on state-owned property, has been making its way through the House for the past year.
It is on the State Government Committee’s calendar for January 31, 2024.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains-District 08) has introduced a bill strikingly similar to Richey’s HB2078.
With more detail than Richey’s House bill, Senate Bill 2034 (SB2034) “increases, from $1,000 to $5,000, the fine for transporting into the state, for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain, an individual who the person knows or should have known has illegally entered or remained in the United States, as determined by the bureau of immigration and customs enforcement of the United States department of homeland security. – Amends TCA Title 4; Title 12; Title 39; Title 50 and Title 67.”
With these bills moving through the legislature, it is clear that concerns regarding illegal aliens in the state of Tennessee are on the radars of many conservative lawmakers.
Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com