Tennessee House passes controversial immigration bills
Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, speaks about immigration-related legislation during a discussion period on the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives in Nashville on March 16, 2026. (Noah McLane/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Tennessee House Republicans passed immigration-related legislation on Monday, March 16, amid heated floor debates and several expulsions of audience members.
That legislation included bills to track K-12 students’ immigration status and make it a criminal offense to stay in Tennessee for more than 90 days after a final deportation order. The Senate also heard a resolution to amend Tennessee’s Constitution codifying that only U.S. citizens may vote in state elections.
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Noah McLane
Noah McLane reports on the state house for The Daily Memphian. He was born and raised in Tennessee and attended journalism school at Middle Tennessee State University, where his passion for community-focused storytelling began.
Prior to writing for The Daily Memphian, Noah was the editor-in-chief of his college newspaper, worked on general assignment for the Jackson Hole News & Guide in Jackson, Wyoming, and was most recently an editorial intern at the Nashville Scene.
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