Advocates, including the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, filed a federal lawsuit against a Tennessee law criminalizing how individuals assist undocumented immigrants. The plaintiffs argue that the law is vague, overreaches federal powers, and endangers community safety. Set to take effect on July 1, the law establishes new offenses for human smuggling. The church's position emphasizes First Amendment rights in relation to aiding migrants, while lawmakers argue it's meant to curb human trafficking, not target those offering humanitarian assistance.
"These kinds of state laws have the possibility to be really destabilizing to communities because they create an atmosphere of fear for people about the status of immigrants within their communities," said Bill Powell, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
Tennessee state Sen. Brent Taylor (R) and state Rep. Chris Todd (R), who sponsored the bill, said it was aimed at stopping human trafficking, not prosecuting landlords or religious groups.
"This new law builds on our efforts to prevent human trafficking and improve public safety by criminalizing the harboring of someone in the country illegally for financial gain," Todd said in a statement.
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