1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support Tennessee House Bill 1482, which would prohibit the use of schools, religious institutions, and certain public properties as staging areas for civil immigration enforcement activities. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Gabby Salinas, Shaundelle Brooks, G.A. Hardaway, Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, Jason Powell, and Joe Towns, is essential to protecting the safety and educational environment of Tennessee students. Schools must remain safe spaces where all children can learn without fear. When Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses school campuses or nearby public parking lots as staging areas for enforcement operations, it creates an atmosphere of terror that disrupts education and harms student wellbeing. Children should not have to worry about whether federal agents will be waiting outside their classroom or in the parking lot where their parents drop them off. HB1482 takes a measured approach by prohibiting public parking lots, vacant lots, garages owned by the state or political subdivisions, school campus grounds, and tax-exempt religious property from being used as staging areas, processing locations, or operations bases for civil immigration enforcement. The bill requires property operators to implement physical barriers like locked gates and establishes clear reporting procedures when employees become aware of attempted use of these properties for immigration enforcement purposes. Importantly, this legislation does not interfere with lawful judicial warrants or criminal law enforcement. It simply ensures that spaces dedicated to education, worship, and community use are not repurposed for immigration operations that instill fear in Tennessee families. The Department of Safety would produce informational materials about the rights of employees, students, and security staff regarding federal agent entry to property, ensuring everyone understands their protections under law. I ask you to vote yes on HB1482 to keep our schools focused on education rather than immigration enforcement and to preserve the sanctity of spaces where Tennessee families should feel safe.