Smuggling, harboring bill - federal courthouse

Local faith leaders and officials with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, American Immigration Council and the Tennessee Fair Housing Council hold a press conference outside of the downtown Nashville federal courthouse. 

Lawyers presented their case Wednesday at the first hearing regarding a federal lawsuit that challenges a Tennessee law making it illegal to “harbor” undocumented immigrants — with a state attorney saying certain circumstances could also criminalize the housing of individuals residing in the U.S. legally. 

The lawsuit argues that the recently enacted Senate Bill 392 is unconstitutional and that its broad language could criminalize landlords, churches and nonprofits that house undocumented immigrants. It also contends that enforcement of immigration law should be left up to the federal government rather than the states.

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