NASHVILLE, Tenn. ( WTVF ) — The political fight over undocumented immigrants has n’t just been limited to Washington D. C. It’s playing out at the Tennessee State Capitol too.
A fresh act from Rep. Bryan Richey, R- Maryville, had good people who knowingly travel illegal immigrants into Tennessee.
Essentially, that’s already improper under Tennessee law, but the fresh legislation would make it illegal for popular carriers— like Delta Airlines or Greyhound Buslines — to take part in the activity. That sparked a lot of queries last week when the bill was in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
” And if they were and he did not do that, he would be individually fined? Is that right”? asked Rep. John Gillespie, a R- Shelby County.
” So in the policy it says knowingly or aggressively. So if the captain knowingly transported them, therefore the captain had been fined, yes”, replied Rep. Richey, who sponsors the House version.
As Rep. Richey explained, if an airline captain or bus drivers finds out that one of their customers is an illegal immigrant, they may face a great of$ 5, 000 for each individual improperly transported. Democratic officials defended the bill this month, saying they want to make sure the last version of the bill makes it clear that the criminal has to criminally break the law.
” Obviously I do n’t want anybody that is unknowingly or unwittingly transporting someone — some bus driver’s not going to be required to check everybody’s identification on a bus. But at the same day, if they knowingly carry an illegal immigrant into this position, then it is now illegal so we’re talking about just fines”, said Rep. William Lamberth, a Portland Republican who serves as House Majority Leader. Lamberth voted in favor of the bill in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
Of training, Democrats oppose the bill and call it unfair.
There was also a protest against this act earlier this year. You can read more about the show around.
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