This story was originally published by the Nashville Banner. Sign up for their newsletter at nashvillebanner.com/newsletters.
Some Tennessee lawmakers want more privacy for agents involved in immigration enforcement and less privacy for residents who use public services.
As part of the Republican-led state legislature’s extensive immigration platform, House committees considered a bill this week that would withhold identifying information of law enforcement involved in immigration enforcement — including federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement — while also advancing a bill that would require local governments to track the immigration statuses of those who utilize public schools, jails, hospitals and other public resources.
On Wednesday, activists lined the hallway and packed the room where the State and Local Government Committee was set to discuss House Bill 1711, which would not only require local governments to track individuals’ immigration statuses but would also create a Class A misdemeanor charge for any official who did not comply. The trigger bill would only go into effect if the Supreme Court overrules Plyler v. Doe, which allows children of all immigration statuses to attend public schools.