Bill > HB0145

This bill, known as the "Tennessee Reduction of Unlawful Migrant Placement Act" (TRUMP Act), introduces several significant changes related to immigration status verification in Tennessee. It redefines "resident" and "citizen" to mean only United States citizens and aliens who can provide two forms of government-issued identification proving their lawful presence in the state. The bill mandates that financial institutions verify the immigration status of individuals sending electronic funds outside the United States, requiring them to request and maintain copies of valid government identification for two years or face potential civil penalties. In the education sector, the bill stipulates that parents or guardians of students who are not lawfully residing in Tennessee must pay tuition for their children to attend public schools, with "lawfully residing" defined by specific documentation requirements. The legislation also provides a comprehensive list of acceptable government identification documents, including various forms of birth certificates, passports, and citizenship papers. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining provisions can still be enforced.