Tennessee Passed a Slate of Immigration Bills. Here’s What They Do.

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Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, has signed some of the bills, which will go into effect July 1. He is widely expected to sign the others.

Here’s what some of those bills aim to do.

Driving tests would have an English language requirement.

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If an applicant does not speak English, the person can still take the initial written exam in another language. But the applicant will be able to receive only a nonrenewable, restricted license that expires after 18 months. At the end of that period, the driver will have to take a written exam in English to obtain a permanent license.

Government employees could face jail time for failing to report immigrants lacking legal status who receive public benefits.

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Local governments could lose state funds for failing to verify immigration status for employees.

State and local government agencies are already required to verify whether a prospective employee is a U.S. citizen or has authorization to work in the United States. Another bill, recently signed into law by Lee, adds the threat of withholding funding if a government entity is found to have violated that process.

Failure to comply with a final deportation order could lead to jail time or a fine.

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Tennessee sheriffs will have to cooperate with federal immigration forces.

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