Tennessee House Passes “E-Verify” Law

Tennessee’s legislature passed a variation of other states’ e-verify law requiring business owners to check immigration status of their employees. As is done in other states, if an employer is found hiring an illegal worker, his business license will be suspended.

Currently, the law only targets businesses that have more than five employees.

As opposed to other states, Tennessee employers do not have to use the government’s online e-verify program. Business owners can check the legal status of their employers with as little as a driver’s license.

The Nashville Public Radio quotes Democrat G.A. Hardaway of Memphis saying, “If your driver’s license is good enough to get on an airplane, then I would think it would be good enough to keep the employer from incurring fines, if they’re wrong on this.”

The bill passed unanimously with a 96-0 vote and is awaiting the Senate’s approval.

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