The Tennessee Lawful Employment Act ("TLEA") was signed into law on June 7, 2011, and gives employers the option of either enrolling in the federal E-Verify program or obtaining specific employment authorization documentation from employees.
TLEA is an attempt to localize E-Verify laws in an effort to close the void left by the federal government's failure to curb illegal immigration. Tennessee joins 15 other states that have enacted localized E-Verify laws to combat illegal immigration within their borders. As described below, TLEA replaces the present law provisions prohibiting any person from knowingly employing an illegal alien; requires each employer to enroll and maintain active participation in the federal E-Verify program before October 1, 2011 or obtain and retain copies of certain employment authorization documents; and establishes certain requirements for contractors regarding illegal aliens.
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