7/11/07-Gov. Phil Bredesen signed a bill into law that allows the state to suspend business licenses for companies found to have "knowingly" employed illegal immigrants. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2008.
The new law, previously HB729, permits the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to suspend business licenses for companies found to have hired illegal immigrants.
Farmers are exempt from the new rule. They are not required to have business licenses.
A suspension would be lifted once the company proves it no longer has any illegal immigrants as employees. Subsequent offenses occurring within three years would mandate license suspensions for one year.
Employers who check identification and are misled by an illegal immigrant will not be considered to be in violation and would not be prosecuted.
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