Key Takeaways
• April 2025: Tennessee bill lets citizens sue charities if helped undocumented immigrants later commit crimes.
• Charities face civil, not criminal, liability for knowingly housing undocumented immigrants who later cause harm.
• Leaders warn the law could erode trust, reduce emergency aid, and force charities to act as immigration enforcers.
Charities across Tennessee 🇺🇸 are facing important changes after the state’s lawmakers passed a bill that could make life much harder for groups helping undocumented immigrants. As of mid-April 2025, the Tennessee 🇺🇸 Senate approved a measure that, if signed by Governor Bill Lee, would allow regular citizens to sue charities if an undocumented immigrant they helped later commits a crime. This has started a strong debate throughout the state—one that pulls together questions about safety, fairness, and the role of organizations that have spent years supporting people in need.
What the Bill Really Says
The bill, which is backed by Senator Brent Taylor and Representative Rusty Grills, specifically targets charities such as churches, homeless shelters, and other groups that provide places to stay for undocumented immigrants. Here’s a simple breakdown of what it calls for:
- If a charity, church, or shelter knowingly houses an undocumented immigrant, and that person later commits a crime, anyone harmed by that crime can sue the organization for loss or injury.
- This means charities could be taken to court for anything from property damage to injury or loss of life, as long as it’s linked to the people they’ve helped.
- It is not a criminal law—it’s a civil law, so it makes these organizations legally responsible in civil court (not criminal court).
- Even with these tight rules, the lawmakers say their intention isn’t to punish groups that only give temporary help, especially for emergencies or to save lives.[2]
The draft law is currently waiting for Governor Bill Lee’s signature to become the official rule in Tennessee 🇺🇸. If he does not sign, the regular legislative process will decide the next steps, but supporters are hopeful that it will soon take effect.[1][3]
Why Are Lawmakers Doing This?
Representative Rusty Grills says this bill is about more than just making new rules. He says its main purpose is to:
- Stop organizations from looking the other way when helping undocumented immigrants
- Make sure agencies are “held accountable for their role in providing services to people who come to the U.S. illegally and harm our citizens”[4]
- Discourage people who might want to hurt others from coming to Tennessee 🇺🇸 and thinking they’ll find a safe place
Lawmakers have said a few important things:
– “We’re not here to incriminate people offering a hand to the homeless for a night.”[2]
– The bill is meant to send a message to agencies—be careful about the people you help and how you help them.
– Amendments might be added later to clear up any confusion, especially over what “liability” means and what type of help counts.
The sponsors made it clear that their real target is not quick or emergency help, but organizations that provide ongoing or regular shelter to undocumented immigrants, especially if those individuals go on to break the law. Some say these actions are meant to protect the community, while others worry about unintended side effects.
How Tennessee Charities Are Reacting
Charities and religious groups have not stayed silent. In fact, leaders across Tennessee 🇺🇸 have openly challenged the logic of this new bill.
Statements from Charity Leaders
Reverend Enoch Fuzz, leader of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, put it simply: “You can’t hold anybody liable for the actions of somebody except for the person themselves.”[2] He believes it’s not fair to make organizations pay if someone they helped later does something wrong.
Traci Hefner, a chief program officer at Chatt Foundation, says the bill could hurt the very heart of most charities’ work. Hefner points out a few direct problems:
– Trust between charities and people in need is already low. “We’re working with a population that has limited trust.”[4]
– If organizations start questioning people about their legal status or whether they’ve ever committed a crime, it would ruin the fragile trust they’ve built.
– The fear is that people will stop coming for help—possibly putting them in more danger, or pushing problems underground where they’re even harder to solve.
Sam Siple from Nashville Rescue Mission agrees, saying “punishing organizations is not the answer and would strain resources.” His group’s mission is “to help and provide Human Services… not to enforce immigration.”[2] He fears this new law will turn charities into watchdogs, pulling them away from their main work.
Worries About the Bill’s Effects
Many charities say the bill could force them to check each person’s immigration status—a task they are not trained or able to do. Some say this could be dangerous or even illegal, especially for churches and shelters that serve those with nowhere else to go. Charities worry that:
– The bill could slow down urgent help in emergencies since staff may hesitate to offer help before sorting out legal status.
– It pushes charity workers into taking on a “policing” role for which they aren’t equipped.
– Shelters and emergency services could risk closing if they face too many lawsuits.
What Happens Next?
Lawmakers are still debating parts of this bill, and several discussions have been delayed so the issues can be looked at again. Changes and clarifications could still be made—especially regarding exactly what counts as “providing housing” or “knowing” someone is undocumented.
If the bill does become law as it is currently written:
– Charities, religious shelters, and possibly some social service agencies in Tennessee 🇺🇸 will need to review every way they house or help undocumented immigrants.
– Insurance and legal costs for these organizations could rise as they try to limit risks.
– Some fear this will lead to more people—documented or not—ending up on the street, especially as shelters grow more cautious.
A New Approach to Immigration Enforcement
This law stands out because it doesn’t just target the undocumented immigrants themselves, but the people and organizations who help them. In the past, most immigration laws required only government or certain law enforcement officers to report or act on an immigrant’s legal status. Tennessee’s 🇺🇸 bill is different—it lays risk at the feet of everyday charities and churches.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests this is a much broader attempt to make non-government groups more involved in immigration enforcement, even if they don’t want to be. This approach signals a bigger change in how Tennessee 🇺🇸, and maybe other states in the future, could treat organizations that help those without legal status.
The Broader Context: How Laws Like This Can Change Life on the Ground
For years, charities in Tennessee 🇺🇸 have tried to serve all people, no matter their background or legal paperwork. Many say their guidance, rooted in faith or a sense of community, calls for helping the most vulnerable. These new rules could shift how charities and churches decide who to help.
Charities could feel forced to check people’s papers or ask personal questions, putting both staff members and guests in uncomfortable or even unsafe situations. Some leaders worry this could:
– Break the sense of trust that makes help possible
– Make the most desperate people—the ones most in need of food or a bed—suffer most
– Put even more stress on already struggling public services and emergency rooms
Churches, especially those who believe in helping “the stranger,” may have to choose between following their beliefs and risking big lawsuits. This is a challenge that hasn’t been seen on this scale before in Tennessee 🇺🇸.
Perspectives: What Each Side Says
Proponents (those who support the bill) say:
– This is about safety and responsibility, not preventing help for emergencies.
– Organizations that provide long-term housing and help are in the best position to know who is living under their roof.
– If a person is in the United States 🇺🇸 illegally and causes harm, those who made it possible for them to stay should also take responsibility.
Opponents (those against the bill) argue:
– You can’t always know someone will commit a crime—holding organizations responsible for another’s actions isn’t fair.
– The bill could lead to more fear, less help for those in need, and even more people living in unsafe conditions.
– Charities are not government agents; making them act like investigators goes against their purpose.
– “We aren’t trained to investigate immigration status, and asking people could violate our codes of compassion and privacy.” [2][4]
What Should Charities Do Now?
Charities across Tennessee 🇺🇸 are watching Governor Bill Lee closely. If he signs the measure, they will have to carefully adjust how they run their programs. Steps they might need to consider include:
– Adding staff training on the new law
– Working with lawyers to understand exactly what counts as “knowing” a person is undocumented
– Reviewing all their systems for intake and asking themselves: how much information do we really need to ask for?
– Preparing for possible lawsuits and strengthening partnerships with other local agencies
Groups are suggesting more guidance from state officials on how to proceed—since the law, as written, leaves a lot of open questions.
For charities looking to stay updated or find legal guidance, it is always a good idea to refer to state resources like the Tennessee Secretary of State’s site which explains nonprofit duties and new laws.
Looking Forward: Could This Happen in Other States?
Tennessee’s 🇺🇸 move is part of a larger conversation happening across the United States 🇺🇸 about immigration and who is responsible for those who don’t have papers. Some other states have discussed similar laws, but most focus on employers or local governments—not charities.
Charities worry that, if the measure is successful, other places could copy it. This would mean bigger changes nationwide, not just in Tennessee 🇺🇸.
- This could shrink the safety net for undocumented immigrants across the country.
- People who are homeless or in crisis might have fewer safe places to go.
- Organizations may have to act more like private investigators than helpers, changing what it means to be a charity in the United States 🇺🇸.
Summing Up
As of April 2025, Tennessee 🇺🇸 stands at a crossroads. If Governor Bill Lee signs this bill, the way charities, churches, and shelters work with undocumented immigrants could change in deep ways. Supporters say this is about safety and common sense, while critics argue it may do more harm than good by making it harder for those most in need to get help.
No matter which side of the debate someone is on, what is clear is that everyone—from lawmakers to charity leaders to the people seeking help—will need to make tough choices about trust, safety, and the basic mission of giving to others. The next steps for Tennessee 🇺🇸’s charities will depend on how the final law is enforced and how clear the rules become. To stay updated on nationwide changes in immigration law, readers can turn to sources like VisaVerge.com, which regularly tracks these shifts and what they mean for people and organizations on the ground.
For groups across Tennessee 🇺🇸, this new law is not just a legal challenge—it’s a test of their missions and values as they continue to serve in uncertain times.
Learn Today
Civil Liability → Legal responsibility faced in civil court, not criminal court, usually resulting in monetary damages rather than prison time.
Undocumented Immigrant → A person living in a country without legal permission, lacking valid immigration or residence documents required by law.
Sanctuary City → A location where local policies limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, often offering protection to undocumented immigrants.
Charity Organization → A nonprofit group providing aid, shelter, or services to vulnerable populations, operating for public benefit rather than profit.
Plaintiff → An individual or entity that brings a lawsuit against another party in a civil court, seeking legal remedy for harm suffered.
This Article in a Nutshell
A landmark Tennessee bill may expose charities to lawsuits if undocumented immigrants they help later commit crimes. Supporters say it promotes safety, while critics fear it undermines vital aid. The state awaits Governor Bill Lee’s decision, mindful of the law’s unprecedented impact on both helpers and vulnerable communities.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Trump Kills National Qualified Representative Program for Immigrants
• Operation Magnolia Nabs 48 Illegal Immigrants on Highways
• ImmigrationOS Lets ICE Track Immigrants Like Never Before
• Illegal Immigrants Charged in Shocking Smuggling Plot
• Undocumented Immigrants Pour Billions Into Social Security
