An immigrant advocacy organization has sued the state of Tennessee over new rules that deny driver licenses to immigrants who are legally authorized to live and work in the United States, the Tennessee Lookout reported.
The Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition filed the legal challenge on Friday, Oct. 30, in Davidson County Chancery Court. Six people identified only by their initials joined the suit. They were recently denied licenses or renewals, or face being denied in the future. The coalition is asking for an immediate order temporarily blocking the state from denying licenses to people who are authorized to work in Tennessee, and for a finding that the new rules, put in place in recent weeks without public input, are invalid.
What changed
For many years, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security accepted a federal employment authorization document as proof of immigration status for a license. In recent weeks, according to the Lookout, the department began rejecting people who presented the federal work permit when seeking a new or renewed license. For many immigrants who are not permanent residents, including asylum seekers and recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the card is among their only proof of status.
The arguments
The suit argues that the department is violating its own regulations and state law and exceeded its authority. Advocates said the change could affect thousands of Tennesseans. A spokesperson for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security declined to comment on pending litigation.
Gov. Bill Lee said on Wednesday that he had just learned of the rule change and was determining its impact and whether changes are needed.
One person's story
A registered nurse from East Tennessee, identified by his initials L.R. and not a party to the suit, told reporters he was turned away at multiple driver centers when trying to renew a temporary license. He said there is no public transit where he lives and that he is considering leaving the state after 20 years.
The court has not ruled. This is a statewide story, but drivers across West Tennessee who rely on a work-permit document may be affected.
Sources: Tennessee Lookout, National Immigration Law Center statement as reported by Tennessee Lookout