Crush Transnational Repression in Tennessee Act Democrats doxing Featured Foreign Entities Foreign Interference HB1640 HB1788 HB2018 HB2279 HB2506

Bills Addressing Foreign Interference In Tennessee & Illegal Immigration See House Progress

March 27, 2026

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Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

A number of bills relating to foreign influence in Tennessee and immigration matters are continuing to make their way through the General Assembly, with several passing the full House and others clearing committees on their way to becoming law.

HB2279– Upgrades certain criminal offenses committed by agents of foreign adversaries or terrorist organizations

Titled the “Crush Transnational Repression in Tennessee Act”, this bill creates a new criminal framework addressing acts conducted on behalf of foreign adversaries or foreign terrorist organizations like intimidation, harassment, coercion, surveillance, or enforcement actions carried out in the state under the direction or influence of a foreign adversary nation.

Under the legislation, criminal offenses must be punished one classification higher than is otherwise provided by law if that offense is committed by an agent of a foreign adversary or terrorist organization with the intent to coerce a person into acting on behalf of the foreign entity, coerce a person to leave the United States, or prevent or retaliate against a person engaging in “protected conduct” as defined in the bill.

On the House floor, bill sponsor Rep. Mark Cochran gave an example of how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) frequently plants foreign agents within student organizations at public universities and uses that agent to harass Chinese descendants or Chinese immigrants. Cochran specifically cited a 2024 incident at Harvard University and said this activity by the CCP, and other similar actions by other foreign adversaries, has been discovered all over the country.

“There are numerous incidents where this has occurred, and so [the bill] is just ensuring that if it happens in Tennessee, that it enhances the penalty,” Cochran summarized.

The House voted 77-12 to pass the bill, with six Democrats joining Republicans in favor. All “Nos” and the two “Present Not Voting” votes were by remaining House Democrats.

SB2644, the Senate companion, has unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits a date for a vote on the Senate floor, the last step before this bill can become law.

You can find the contact information of your Tennessee State Senator HERE.

HB1788– Prohibits certain foreign entities from owning non-agricultural land in Tennessee

This legislation adds prohibited foreign parties (PFP) to the current list of foreign-controlled entities that are prohibited from acquiring by grant, purchase, devise, or any other method an interest in non-agricultural land in the state.

Any foreign party shall also not be allowed act as an agent, trustee, or other fiduciary in holding an interest in non-agricultural land on behalf of a PFP. And any PFPs who currently have interest in non-agricultural Tennessee land would be required to divest it within two years from the date they are found in violation of the measure.

The House passed the bill 82-3 with only Democrats voting “No”.

As the Senate has already unanimously passed their version and the House conformed to it, HB1788 will now go to the Governor for signature into law.

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 contact information, home addresses, or personal license plates, of federal, state, or local officers involved in active immigration enforcement operations. Additionally, information related to specific operational activities, such as dates, times, location, logistics, or strategies must also be kept confidential.

During the House floor session, Democrat Rep. Justin Jones proposed an amendment which would have essentially contradicted the bill, requiring names and badge numbers of officers participating in all immigration enforcement activities to be displayed and made public record with exceptions only for undercover or anti-terrorism operations. It was voted down overwhelmingly.

After the proposed amendment’s failure, the vote on the bill itself was 70-19 along party lines in favor of the legislation.

The companion bill, SB1464, passed the Senate 26-6 along party lines earlier this month, and the House conformed to that version, so this bill will now head to the Governor Lee for signature into law.