In 2008, she was pulled for a regular traffic violation, along with two children in a car, nine months pregnant.

Instead of receiving the quote, Vilgas, originally from Mexico and living in Tennessee since 1996, was arrested.

When she entered labor two days after her arrest, she was tied to a hospital bed.

She returned to jail after giving birth, but was not allowed to take breast pumps due to medical equipment being banned from the Davidson County Detention Center. Her breasts were infected. Her young son got the yellow und.

Vilgas was held for six days custody thanks to a partnership between Davidson County and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, allowing Davidson County Sheriff’s officers to enforce immigration laws. This program is referred to as 287(g) in the Immigration and Nationality Act section.

The Obama administration suspended 287(g) in 2012 due to abuses like racial profiling that landed Vilga in prison.

The Villegas incident was obtained Public’s warning And she settled for $490,000 as she filed a lawsuit against Metronashville and terrified many people who learned about the situation.

It was good that she could have sued and compensated her if Vilgas had to be exposed to this cruel treatment. Other immigrants may not be able to immediately give the same opportunity.

Tennessee’s bill would prohibit immigrants from sueing without legal status

The bill, introduced by two Tennessee Republicans, prohibits banning Tennessees like Vilga (those who have no permanent legal status in the United States).

This measure is one of many bills brought at this legislative meeting to make life more difficult for Tennessee immigrants, and as I can say, does nothing to improve life in other Tennessees.

I’m a Goodletsville Republican sponsoring two paragraphs – Trade lawyers – invoicewith a question about why he thinks it is necessary.

Garrett didn’t reply to my emails or calls, nor did he speak to reporters at the Tennessee State Capitol.

In that vacuum of information, I rely on my interpretation. In other words, this is a terrible policy from a human rights perspective. There is no good reason to prohibit immigrants from seeking relief when exposed to bad actors. Without legal replies, immigrants may be prey to exploitation by people who know they cannot be held responsible for abuse.

The bill also appears to violate the 14th amendment, which was enacted at the end of the Civil War, with the state saying “D.”Without a legitimate process of law, a person of life, freedom, or property is either person. It also does not deny the equal protection of the law to those within its jurisdiction. ”

“This bill not only risks creating harmful precedents for other marginalized groups, but also reflects awkward historical parallels with pre-war war-era laws that denied the humanity and legal personality of enslaved people.” “By disenfranchising individuals’ rights to legal instruments based on immigrant status, this law reopens up scars from the past of our country where the humanity of a particular group was rejected under the law.”

The measure appears to be the only country, putting a new spin on Tennessee Governor Billley’s catchphrase, according to the Niskanen Center, a Washington, DC-based think tank.

President Donald Trump demonized the “other” and his second term, particularly immigration, which is a key feature of his policy. Tennessee Republicans have shown they want to follow in their footsteps, Lee said. In a statement Before Trump took office to become him “Make sure you’re ready to help President Trump implement his immigration enforcement agenda.”

Trump administration It’s resumed The 287(g) program, and so far, the Green, Knox and Putnam County Sheriff’s offices have signed up. Given the current political environment, there is no reason to expect this program to run in greater consistency than during the last iteration. State Sen. Botson goes further. Invoice sponsor That requires law enforcement to participate in 287(g).

If the bill is passed, lawsuits will continue to challenge its constitutionality.

The best outcome for Tennessee immigrants, especially those here who have no permanent legal status, is that lawmakers demonstrate human decency. However, since empathy cannot be legislated, ensuring immigrants have the right to sue according to the constitution is the least we can do.