Tennessee House Set to Vote on Bill Requiring Immigration Status Checks
Tennessee lawmakers prepare for final House vote on controversial bill requiring public agencies to verify immigration status and report undocumented individuals.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — The Tennessee House is scheduled this week to take a final vote on legislation requiring immigration status verification for all public benefit applicants at state and local government agencies, including the state’s 95 public health clinics.
The bill, HB1710/SB1915, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Powers of Jacksboro and Sen. Ed Jackson of Jackson, mandates that government employees report the names of all individuals who cannot provide proof of legal status to Tennessee’s newly created Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division.
Criminal Penalties for Non-Compliance
Public employees who fail to check or report immigration status could face criminal prosecution under the proposed legislation. The Tennessee Attorney General would have authority to investigate state or local agencies suspected of non-compliance.
Agencies found to have violated the law could face funding cuts as the ultimate penalty. Republican supporters say the measure aims to prevent immigrants without legal status from accessing taxpayer-funded benefits.
Senate Approval Sets Stage for Governor’s Desk
The legislation cleared the Senate late last month. A positive House vote would send the bill to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for signature before the law takes effect July 1.
The Metro Nashville Department of Health will be among the county public health agencies required to check immigration status of patients under the new requirements.
Health Providers Express Concerns
Public health providers have raised alarms about the additional administrative burden the legislation would place on healthcare workers to verify and report immigration status. Health experts worry about broader community health impacts if residents who need medical care avoid or are denied treatment due to immigration status concerns.
“We are trained to do a lot of things. We’re not trained to keep immigration records and those things,” said Dr. Sanmi Areola, according to the Tennessee Lookout.
Public health officials expressed particular concern about potential impacts on residents seeking treatment for communicable diseases, immunizations, or other medical needs who cannot prove their immigration status.
