A Tennessee law set to take effect Wednesday will require local government agencies such as health departments to verify and report the immigration status of people applying for certain public benefits. Vivian Lozano Sterchi, chief operating officer of the Chattanooga immigrant advocacy group La Paz, said it’s unclear what the ramifications of the new law will be.
The law is broad and applies to any local government entity, including counties, cities, towns and local health departments. It applies to people 18 years or older who are applying for federal, state or local public benefits.
The law requires local governments to report to the state’s immigration agency the status of applicants so it can be shared with federal immigration enforcement officials. The new law makes an employee’s failure to report an individual’s unauthorized status a misdemeanor.