Senator Joey Hensley, MD

Legislation passed to fight illegal immigration

Tennessee stands with Texas in fight to secure our southern border

Lawmakers passed a resolution supporting Texas in the fight against illegal immigrants flooding into the United States at the southern border.

Because the federal government has failed to do its job to protect our border, Texas absolutely has the right to defend itself from this invasion.

The overwhelming chaos at the border is enabling terrorists and drug cartels to invade our country undetected with the intention of doing harm to America and our citizens. Many are trafficking deadly drugs and young girls.

This has to stop. Tennessee stands with Texas.

Support Governor Lee’s moves to send Tennessee troops to Texas to help our country regain control of the nation’s southern border.

In October 2023, 125 Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard’s 1175th Transportation Company deployed for a year-long mission at the Southwest border.

This year, Governor Lee committed to send two additional waves of troops in the Tennessee National Guard troops to assist in the efforts.

The General Assembly allocated $6.4 million in the budget to fund this military deployment to the border.

Banned Sanctuary Cities

Lawmakers in the General Assembly passed a law in 2018 to ensure that no local government can shield illegal aliens from state and federal immigration laws.

Strengthened Sanctuary City Ban

This year we passed a law to require all law enforcement in Tennessee to notify the appropriate federal authorities if an individual they come into contact with is found to be in the country illegally.

Under previous state law, notification was authorized but not required.

Pushed back against federal refugee resettlement program

Passed a measure to ensure Tennessee could take legal action against the federal government’s refugee resettlement program.

It gave the General Assembly the authority to seek outside counsel to file suit against the refugee resettlement program if the Tennessee Attorney General failed to do so.

Required reporting for refugee resettlement programs in Tennessee

It requires any entity that administers the state’s refugee program to submit quarterly reports to legislative committees regarding resettlement information, so that the state can be aware of all refugees in Tennessee.

Ensured Illegal immigrants do not receive public benefits

We passed legislation authorizing state agencies to prohibit an unlawful alien from receiving any “non-emergency” taxpayer-provided benefits in Tennessee.

Agencies could use the “Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act” to keep unlawful aliens from receiving benefits.

Excludes prenatal care

Restricted employment of illegal immigrants, protected businesses

Prohibited local governments from issuing government ID cards to illegal immigrants.

Created a Class A misdemeanor offense to knowingly provide, transfer or submit a fake identification for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining employment.

Gave employers the right to institute an English-in-the-workplace policy.

Increased penalties for those who employ illegal immigrants.

Created a civil penalty and $500 fine per day if an employer fails to use the E-Verify system to verify employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

Some bad actors would have rather paid the previous one-time fine of $500 for hiring an illegal alien.

Closed loopholes for illegal immigrants seeking IDs and Driver’s Licenses

Required any applicant presenting a driver’s license from a state that issues them to illegal aliens, to establish proof of United States citizenship or legal residency when applying for one in Tennessee.

Prohibited local governments from issuing ID cards that can be used as a government ID card.

Implemented stronger penalties for crimes and violations committed by illegal immigrants

Gave judges ability to enhance penalties for crimes committed by those who were illegally or unlawfully in the US at the time the offense was committed.

Gives judge’s discretion to enhance sentences for illegal aliens who commit crimes.

Another law allows court clerks to set a higher bail for traffic violations committed by illegal immigrants deemed a flight risk.

Reduced abuse of education system

Gave the Department of Safety and Homeland Security the authority to subpoena an institution of higher education regarding students who are in Tennessee on F-1 or M-1 visas.

Consistently supported immigration reform and border wall at federal level

Urged Congress to fund construction of President Trump’s border wall.

Encouraged the President and Congress to pass meaningful immigration policy reform.

Contact Senator Hensley at

425 5th Avenue North, Suite 746

Nashville TN 37243

615-741-3100

Toll Free 1-800-449-8366

ext. 13100

Fax 615-253-0231

855 Summertown Highway

Hohenwald TN 38462

Phone 931-796-2018

Cell Phone 931-212-8823

E-mail:

[email protected]