Saturday, June 16, 2007

A variety of immigration-related laws passed (and not passed) in Tennessee:

*HB0600 passed. Bill would prohibit "the transportation of illegal aliens into the state, imposes a fine of $1,000 for such violation, and requires that money received from such fines be applied to the costs associated with deportation of such illegal aliens."
*HB0491 passed. Bill would require "the department of safety to negotiate an agreement with federal authorities to train certain highway patrol officers to perform certain immigration law enforcement functions; authorizes highway patrol officers certified as trained under such an agreement to enforce federal immigration and customs laws in Tennessee."
*HB0729 passed. Bill would create "the criminal offenses of recklessly employing an illegal alien, knowingly employing an illegal alien, and knowingly encouraging or inducing an illegal alien to enter the state for the purpose of employing such illegal alien." This bill has not yet been signed by the governor.
*HB0877 failed. Bill would have required "persons who hire employees on and after January 1, 2008, including contract employees, to verify immigration status prior to hiring an individual."

See also this list of other bills passed and failed in TN.