Tennessee lawmakers are poised to pass legislation instituting harsher penalties for those caught providing transportation to illegal immigrants in the state, but first plan to introduce amendments protecting “good Samaritans” and professional drivers from unknowingly violating the law.
The Senate Judiciary Committee considered SB 2802, which would impose a $5,000 fine for individuals caught transporting illegal immigrants in the state on Wednesday, when Senator State Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) introduced an amendment to his bill he said closed existing loopholes within the law.
State Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis) questioned whether the amended legislation would apply to “good Samaritans” and ride-share drivers, prompting a response from a state attorney who claimed the amended legislation would affect those groups.
Though Hensley disagreed with the assessment, State Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) argued the amended legislation could see fines imposed against those who unknowingly transport an illegal immigrant.
“The way I read it is, you could be fined $5,000 even though you didn’t know.” As an example, he offered, “[if] I knowingly transport you, but I did not know that your status was illegal, I would be subject to a $5,000 fine.” Roberts said, “I know that’s not what your intent is, but that’s how I read it.”
Roberts explained, “I wouldn’t have a problem with the bill, but I can’t vote for it the way it is because I don’t think it’s the job of a bus driver to check somebody’s status when they get on the bus.”
After State Senator Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) expressed agreement with Roberts, who said he agreed with the legislation’s intent but not its wording, Hensley said he was “willing to work on it” with a new amendment. The committee ultimately agreed to reconsider the legislation on March 26.
HB 2078, the version of the legislation proposed by State Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville) in the State House, was originally slated for consideration on Tuesday, but WPLN reported it was similarly postponed until next week, “due to a late-filed amendment” to the legislation.
The move by lawmakers to raise penalties for those who knowingly transport illegal immigrants was considered about a week after the Senate defeated legislation that would have seen the issuance of driver “privilege cards” to illegal immigrants.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
