Tennessee sits on the sidelines while other Republican states make it illegal for illegal aliens

Image credits: Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus / Facebook

The Conservative Tennessee (by Adelia Kirchner) –

While Tennessee lawmakers passed reactive illegal immigration billsother Republican-led states have taken the initiative and effectively banned illegal immigrants from entering or living in their borders.

States like Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Louisiana and Florida all recently passed preventive illegal immigration laws to tackle the problem head-on.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma state legislature this year passed a bill banning illegal immigrants from entering or living in the state.

HB4156 declares that it has “a substantial and compelling interest in ensuring that the rights, privileges and immunities of its citizens, authorized residents and lawfully present visitors are protected at all costs.”

The legislation dictates an illegal immigration crisis in the state and further establishes that “unauthorized occupation” will be considered a misdemeanor in the state, punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $500.

The following violations are felonies, punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

In addition, an illegal immigrant who has previously been denied entry into the U.S. or has a removal order issued by an immigration judge, who nevertheless enters the state of Oklahoma, will face a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

Any person convicted of these crimes will be required to leave Oklahoma within 72 hours of being convicted or released from custody. Fingerprints, photographs and biometric data will be collected by law enforcement for cross-checking with the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation databases.

The bill reportedly passed by wide margins in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature and Governor Kevin Stitt (R-OK) is expected to sign it into law.

Texas

In late 2023, the Texas state legislature passed a bill “relating to the prohibition of the illegal entry into or illegal presence in this state by a person who is an alien,” making it a crime to enter the state come outside the legal ports of entry.

SB4 authorizes, and in some circumstances requires, the removal of illegal immigrants from the State of Texas and creates criminal offenses for those who do not leave after being ordered to do so or for those who have previously been convicted.

Crossing the border illegally under this legislation would be a Class B misdemeanor with up to six months in prison. Subsequent violations can be punished with a 2^NL degree felony with a maximum of twenty years in prison.

The legislation also requires Texas judges to order convicted illegal immigrants to return to their countries of legal residence. However, a judge could drop the charges if that illegal immigrant voluntarily returns to his country.

SB4 was scheduled to go into effect in March of this year, but is embroiled in the legal system instead of.

Iowa

SF2340 was passed by the Iowa Legislature earlier this month and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA).

The legislation makes it a crime for an individual to be in or attempt to enter the state if he/she has previously been deported, denied entry into the U.S., or has an outstanding deportation order.

Additionally, it creates a criminal offense for illegal immigrants in the state who already have two or more convictions for drug crimes or crimes against an individual.

Similar to Texas’ SB4, Iowa’s legislation gives judges the ability to drop charges against an illegal immigrant if the individual agrees to voluntarily return to their country.

Louisiana

The Louisiana state legislature is currently considering this proposal SB388 “to deter unlawful entry into this state” by creating the crime of “unlawful entry or re-entry by an alien.”

Unlawful entry or re-entry under SB388 would be punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a $4,000 fine for the first offense.

Subsequent violations “will result in up to two years in prison, with or without hard labor” and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

The bill states that “as a result of the federal government’s ‘non-enforcement policy,’ large numbers of aliens who commit subsequent crimes are being released into communities throughout the (U.S.), including Louisiana, rather than being detained or removed , thereby encouraging these criminal aliens to commit even more crimes and increase the number of victims.’”

If passed by the state legislature, this legislation would take effect “immediately upon, and to the extent permitted by,” the Supreme Court’s confirmation of Texas SB4 or an amendment to the U.S. Constitution expanding state authority over immigration.

Florida

By 2023, SB1718 was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to ban cities and counties from allowing illegal immigrants.

Among other things, the legislation also required the Department of Economic Opportunity to require reimbursement of grants and incentives if a recipient knowingly employed an illegal immigrant. It also voided within the state all driver’s licenses and permits issued by other states to illegal immigrants.

Even states like Arizona and New Hampshire try to take preventive measures to protect their borders.

About the author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently hosting Subtle Rampage podcastshe also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s office in Nashville, Tennessee.

You can reach Adelia at [email protected].