Undocumented immigrant driver’s license bill heads to governor’s desk

After several weeks of protests related to a bill that would allow school boards to prohibit undocumented students from attending public schools, another bill targeting immigrants is headed to the governor’s desk. House Bill 749/Senate Bill 1086 passed the Senate on Monday and will invalidate out-of-state driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants, making the use of such licenses while driving a class-B misdemeanor. Tennessee does not currently allow undocumented immigrants to receive driver’s licenses. 

The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), who say the bill only invalidates licenses when they are used to operate a motor vehicle and not when used for other occasions, like buying alcohol and going to the airport.