The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition is working to build a more inclusive Tennessee by organizing communities to advocate for their rights. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

A Tennessee immigrant-led group and other advocates are suing the state over a new law they said unfairly targets people who offer shelter to undocumented immigrants.

Of the over 400,000 immigrants living in Tennessee, around 128,000 are undocumented.

Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and its political action committee TIRRC Votes, said her organization is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the “anti-harboring” law from taking effect July 1. She described the law, which would create a felony offense for human smuggling, as having no clear guidance on who it targets or how it will be enforced.

“We believe this law is unconstitutional and an overreach of the state government,” Luna emphasized. “For us, SB 392 is ripping apart the very fabric of who we aspire to be as Tennesseans.”

Luna noted the lawsuit is backed by the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and the American Immigration Council. She added the law could criminalize basic acts of care like churches offering shelter or families living together.

Luna pointed out her organization recently met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wife and brother, along with national immigrant rights group CASA, to spotlight his case. She said he was denied fair legal protections, describing the impact it’s had on his family.

“We see Kilmar’s case as an example of the erosion of due process that is happening to individuals here in Tennessee,” Luna outlined. “We had devastating ICE raids earlier in May that resulted in almost 200 people being kidnapped right from their cars in a coordinated operation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE.”

Garcia remains in jail as lawyers debate whether the Justice Department can intervene to block his deportation, should he be released ahead of trial on human smuggling charges. Luna is calling on Tennesseans to stand with immigrant communities by volunteering, donating, or joining advocacy efforts. She added immigrants are at the forefront of building a stronger, multiracial democracy.