Legislation advances Immigration 2026 agenda to protect lawful residents, put TN first NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, has filed legislation to ensure only people lawfully residing in the United States can be employed by state and local governments in Tennessee. House Bill 1705 would require state and local government employers to verify […]
Legislation advances Immigration 2026 agenda to protect lawful residents, put TN first
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, has filed legislation to ensure only people lawfully residing in the United States can be employed by state and local governments in Tennessee.
House Bill 1705 would require state and local government employers to verify the work authorization status of all new hires and appointees before employment.
“Taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize the employment of someone residing here illegally,” said Rudd. “This proposal strengthens transparency and accountability at all levels of government by ensuring public jobs are reserved for people lawfully in Tennessee. The Volunteer State is taking the lead in tackling illegal immigration, and this makes clear that we will always put Tennesseans first.”
All hires by state and local government entities, including boards and local education agencies, would be required to have lawful status verified using the federal government’s E-Verify program beginning July 1, 2026. Documentation of E-Verify results would be retained throughout the employee’s tenure.
House Bill 1705 also empowers the Tennessee attorney general to withhold state-shared tax revenue and other state funding from non-compliant municipalities.
In 2022, Republican lawmakers passed a law requiring private employers with 35 employees or more to verify employment eligibility using E-Verify.
House Bill 1705 is part of a major immigration reform package announced by Tennessee Republicans in collaboration with the Trump administration earlier this month. The Immigration 2026 legislative package aims to close enforcement gaps, protect Tennessee taxpayers and require active enforcement of immigration laws across the state.
State Rep. Tim Rudd represents District 34 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Rutherford County.