Tennessee has enacted a law that disallows the recognition of out-of-state driver's licenses issued solely to illegal immigrants, subjecting these individuals to potential criminal charges if they are found driving within the state.
The legislation, which took effect immediately on January 1, is part of a broader initiative to address immigration issues at the state level.
According to The Post Millennial, House Bill 749 and Senate Bill 1086 are designed to restrict driving privileges for those without legal status in the United States. The law specifically targets licenses from other states that are marked or designed to indicate issuance to non-U.S. citizens, rendering them invalid for driving in Tennessee.
States such as Connecticut and Delaware have special markings on licenses for illegal immigrants, whereas Democrat-led states like California, Washington, and Oregon do not.
Under the new legislation, illegal immigrants caught driving with these invalidated licenses could face a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and fines. Presently, 19 U.S. states and Puerto Rico permit illegal immigrants to obtain some form of driving privileges, but Tennessee now aligns with a select few states, including Florida, Wyoming, and New Hampshire, in invalidating certain out-of-state licenses.
Republican State Representative William Lamberth, a staunch advocate for the bill, stated during a House debate, "The sign says, 'Welcome to Tennessee, illegal immigrants are not welcome,'" as reported by the AP. Law enforcement has been instructed to verify licenses against a published list, with state troopers expected to enforce the rule during regular patrols.
The Trump administration has recently intensified efforts against states issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, following numerous fatal car accidents, which continue to be a concern according to recent reports.
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