Image Credit: Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
As committee calendars in the General Assembly remain packed with bills hoping to make it to their full chamber for a vote, numerous immigration-related pieces of legislation are well on their way with several being passed by their final committee before hitting the House or Senate floor.
HB1705– Requires state and local governments to verify citizenship of prospective employees
This legislation requires 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. 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.
Committee Democrats pushed back on the measure, but the final vote was 14-4 along party lines in favor. Today, HB1705 will be assigned a date by the House Calendar & Rules Committee for it to be heard on the full House floor. The Senate companion, SB1922, is scheduled for the Senate State & Local Government Committee on Tuesday, March 17. (Contact information below).
HB1704– Criminalizes illegal immigrants found in Tennessee who have a final deportation order
The legislation would create a Class A misdemeanor for anyone with a final deportation order who enters, or attempts to enter, the state or is found within Tennessee’s state lines within 90 days of when their final order was issued.
When committee Democrats questioned the constitutionality of the bill, bill sponsor William Lamberth replied, “I’m glad you bring that up. I like our track record with the U.S. Supreme Court. See, when we were trying to keep doctors from mutilating children and cutting out body parts, you all argued it was unconstitutional, went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, they disagreed, that’s now the law of the land. We argued you couldn’t kill babies in the womb, you all disagreed, said it was unconstitutional, quoted Roe v. Wade, guess what, that got overturned as well. This makes it a criminal penalty, a misdemeanor, in the state of Tennessee to remain here as an illegal immigrant. If you’re a legal immigrant, you are welcome in this state. If you are an illegal immigrant, you need to go home to your country.”
After further exchanges, the question was called and the committee voted 15-5 along party lines in favor of the bill. It will now also head to the Calendar & Rules committee today to secure a hearing in the full House. The Senate companion still awaits a date before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
HB2506– Criminalizes doxing of immigration officers
Intending to keep immigration officers safe while they carry out operations, HB2506 would make it a Class E felony for state and local officials to negligently release certain personal identifying information, like names or addresses, of federal, state, or local officers involved in immigration enforcement. Additionally, information related to specific operational activities, such as dates, times, location, logistics, or strategies must also be kept confidential.
Again, Democrats were the only members to object to the bill, which easily passed out of the House State & Local Government Committee in a 16-5 vote along party lines. It will now proceed to the House Government Operations Committee on Monday, March 16.
The Senate version, SB1464 carried by Sen. Jack Johnson, cleared the Senate floor 26-6 on Monday of this week with only Senate Democrats voting against.
HB1707– Requires judges’ cooperation with federal authorities when enforcing immigration law
Under this bill, if a judge obstructs lawful federal immigration enforcement they can be reported to the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct which can investigate the judge for judicial misconduct, and if misconduct is found, could be grounds for removal from office.
“This bill makes it clear that Tennessee courts must stand in line with federal immigration enforcement or judges may face disciplinary action,” elaborated bill sponsor Rep. Rick Scarbrough.
Democrat Gloria Johnson was the lone “No” in the 6-1 vote on the bill during the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday.
HB1707 will move to the full House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 18, while SB1952, the Senate companion, is scheduled for the Senate State and Local Government Committee for Tuesday, March 17.
SB2233– Expands prohibitions on land purchases by foreign adversaries
This bill updates Tennessee’s restrictions on foreign adversaries acquiring land by expanding certain definitions and clarifying ownership thresholds. Current law restricts land purchases by foreign adversaries, but does not include mineral rights, ground water, or surface water, which this legislation seeks to remedy. It would also lower the individual ownership threshold foreign entities can hold from 33% to 10% and the aggregate threshold from 50% to 33%, addressing “minority ownership structures that may provide meaningful influence.”
The vote was 7-2 along party lines in favor from the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee, and it will move to the full Senate for a vote. The House Cities and Counties Subcommittee will hear HB2547 on Wednesday, March 18.
If you support any of these bills, use the information below to contact committee members:
House Government Operations Committee– HB2506 to be heard March 16
HB2506 Criminalizes doxing of immigration officers
Rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jay.reedy@capitol.tn.gov; rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov; rep.john.ray.clemmons@capitol.tn.gov; rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jeremy.faison@capitol.tn.gov; rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.aron.maberry@capitol.tn.gov; rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov; rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov; rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.michele.reneau@capitol.tn.gov; rep.paul.sherrell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov
Senate State & Local Government Committee– SB1922 & SB1952 to be heard March 17
SB1922 Requires state and local governments to verify citizenship of prospective employees
SB1952 Requires judges’ cooperation with federal authorities when enforcing immigration law
Sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov; sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov; sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
House Judiciary Committee– HB1707 to be heard March 18
HB1707 Requires judges’ cooperation with federal authorities when enforcing immigration law
Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov; rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov; rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov
House Cities and Counties Subcommittee– HB2547 to be heard March 18
HB2547 Expands prohibitions on land purchases by foreign adversaries
Rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov; rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.vincent.dixie@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.bo.mitchell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dave.wright@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.
