GOP-led immigration bill signals Trump that Tennessee wants to aid his deportation crackdown
Tennessee's Republican-dominant Statehouse is on track to become the latest state to adopt immigration enforcement policies designed to assist President Donald Trump's plan to suppress illegal immigration and carry out one of the largest mass deportation efforts in U.S. history.
In just three days, Tennessee lawmakers fast-tracked GOP Gov. Bill Lee's $5.5 million proposal to create a new state immigration division and allocate funding for new training grants for local law enforcement agencies seeking immigration agreements to cooperate with federal authorities. The proposal awaits final votes amid expected passage.
Among other steps, the proposal also would require a different, temporary driver’s license for lawful permanent residents noting they aren’t U.S. citizens. Republicans have argued that would help officials determine someone’s voting eligibility.
“The American people spoke loudly in electing him (Trump) that they felt like border security and illegal immigration was an issue which needed to be addressed," said Republican Sen. Bo Watson of Chattanooga.