Tennessee GOP pushes bill to punish people harboring illegal immigrants with ‘human smuggling’

Introduced by Republican state Rep. Chris Todd, HB 0322 would make the “offense of human trafficking, creates the act of harboring or lying, or assisting another in suppressing or lying, within this state an individual who the person knows or should have known has illegally entered or remained in the United States”, according to the congressional text.

Individuals transporting at least 10 people or at least five minors who are in the state illegally for” commercial advantage or personal financial gain” may encounter people smuggling charges punishable by a possible six-year prison sentence and a fine of$ 3, 000.

This offense would also be applied to citizens who encourage or induce the same number of illegal immigrants, according to the legislation.

Knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal immigrant is also subject to criminal penalties under Title 8, U. S. Code § 1324.

If passed, the legislation would also authorize corporations to be prosecuted for acts or omissions involving human smuggling and would create a separate Class A misdemeanor for people harboring or hiding illegal immigrants.

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That offense would warrant a$ 1, 000 fine for each illegal immigrant being hidden, the legislation says.

The bill advanced to a Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 19 and, if passed, would take effect July 1.