General Assembly's Immigration Agenda
📜 Governor Lee's final State of the State · Will racing or housing come out on top? · MNPS under scrutiny · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. A look at the General Assembly's 2026 immigration package... Racing or housing: the big Fairgrounds debate... Governor Lee to make his final State of the State address in February... MNPS in hot water... and much more!
Things That Never Happen But Should Join us Thursday, February 18th for an evening with Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of The Federalist. This is the third installment of the Pamphleteer's new monthly event series. Paying Bard-level subscribers receive free access to this and future events. (Buy Tickets)
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Tennessee lawmakers hope to become a model for the nation with a slew of immigration bills this session.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Over the summer, Metro government doxxed ICE agents. The debacle not only launched an investigation into Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s administration, but it also inspired a bill to protect the confidentiality of sensitive immigration enforcement operations and the officers involved. Continuing the trend, the Tennessee General Assembly opened up this year’s session with a full immigration agenda drawn up with the help of the Trump administration.
The bills expand upon the illegal immigration enforcement package passed last year in a special session and include everything from requiring proof of legal status for those receiving SNAP benefits or public housing to immigration enforcement protocols.
Enforcement and criminal penalties for illegals One bill creates Class A misdemeanors for those who fail to self-deport after a removal order is issued or if a person re-enters the state illegally after deportation. If passed, Tennessee might face a legal challenge on the basis that it challenges a Supreme Court ruling limiting the powers granted to states when prosecuting illegal immigration cases.
HB1711 requires law enforcement and local governments to report individuals unlawfully present in the state. It also requires departments of finance and administration to annually report on the cost incurred by the state for public schools (including public higher education institutions), prisons, hospitals, and social services agencies for benefits and services provided to those unlawfully present in the United States.
Another bill creates a Class A misdemeanor for individuals operating commercial motor vehicles who can’t verify their legal status. It would also mandate ICE notification.
Driver Licenses Speaking of operating vehicles, HB1708 / SB1889 requires restricted licenses for lawfully present applicants lacking English proficiency. Another bill, not officially bundled in with the immigration agenda, would require the issuance of out-of-service orders for CDL drivers unable to read/speak English, with penalties for those who employ the driver.
Welcome to America in 2026. You're sitting at the End of History. Nothing will ever happen again.
The steady march toward the impossible vision of a borderless world governed by rooms full of perfectly rational leaders incapable of committing evil in thought word or deed continues apace.
Will anything–can anything happen–that shakes us from our stupor? Is "Nothing Ever Happens" the law of the land? What should happen that hasn't happened?
Join us Thursday, February 19th as we sit down with Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of The Federalist, to discuss whether anything will ever happen again and more. (Buy Ticket)
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer and free for paying, Bard-level subscribers.
HEADLINES
- 🏘 As Metro Council attempts to upzone Nashville to increase density, Antioch and Percy Priest residents are struggling with overcrowding on their neighborhood streets. Councilmember Tasha Ellis has scheduled a meeting to address these concerns at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Februrary 7, at the Southeast Police Precinct. You may recall that the council passed a number of new zoning bills without a plan to address infrastructure. (WKRN)
- 🏎 The effort to eliminate auto racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds is back on the Metro Charter Revision Commission's agenda this week. The group trying to replace auto racing with affordable housing is still trying to get the issue on the ballot. The Commission rejected the proposal earlier this month. (WPLN)
- 🏛 Governor Lee announced he will deliver his final State of the State address on Monday, February 2. The joint session will take place in the House Chamber of the Tennessee State Capitol at 6 p.m. (Governor’s Office)
- 📚 State Board of Education accountability hearings are posted, and Metro Nashville Public Schools is on the list. MNPS will appear before the board on March 23 to review its underperformance. MNPS will also head to court in March over a school district zoning dispute that would shuffle a number of LEAD Cameron middle schoolers to a lower-performing school in Antioch. (TN Firefly)
DEVELOPMENT
- Jackalope Brewing Co. acquires Black Abbey Brewing Co. (NBJ)
- Civil Constructors pays $6M for Brentwood building (Post)
- Indian beverage cafe slated for Midtown (Post)
- Plans progress for Pie Town hotel (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🥁 Live Jazz: Parker James, Paul DeFiglia & Anson Hohne @ Vinyl Tap, 7p, No Cover, Info
🎸 Lilly Winwood @ Dee's Lounge, 9p, $10, Info
🎸 Michael Nau w/ Magic Tuber String Band @ The Blue Room, 7p, $32.51, Info
🪕 Deeper Shade of Blue @ Station Inn, 9p, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Open Mic @ Fox & Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.