Bill requiring immigrants without legal status to leave Tennessee in 72 hours shelved until 2026

A bill that would send immigrants without permanent legal status to jail for being in Tennessee was pushed to 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo)

A bill creating a new state crime for immigrants illegally present in Tennessee – punishable by incarceration followed by a 72-hour notice to vacate the state – has been deferred until 2026.

The move to table the controversial measure Wednesday in the Senate State and Local Government Committee came at the request of its chairman.  

Sen. Richard Briggs, a Knoxville Republican, cited his neighbor from Canada, an engineer who is at risk of being unable to renew her visa before it expires due to bureaucratic delays resulting from actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency. Briggs said he was concerned the law could sweep up immigrants like her.

Bill giving immigrants without legal status 72 hours to leave Tennessee advances in House

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Jack Johnson of Franklin, acknowledged the measure runs afoul of established law and a 2012 Supreme Court decision that said states cannot usurp the federal government’s exclusive power to enact immigration enforcement laws. Rep. Lee Reeves, a Franklin Republican, cosponsored the bill, but noted the bill would take effect only in certain circumstances.

The bill was crafted as a “trigger” law, only going into effect if one of three things happened: the Supreme Court overturned its 2012 decision, the U.S. Constitution is amended or similar laws enacted by other states remain in effect for 60 days.

Sponsors of the bill said it was intended to “demagnetize” Tennessee as a destination for immigrants who lack legal status and immigrant advocates called it “incredibly inhumane” legislation that put families living in Tennessee at risk.