Judge dismisses Lutheran church challenge to Tennessee law making it a crime to harbor immigrants
Judge William Campbell Jr. said the plaintiffs lacked standing, while state attorneys argued the law targets for-profit conduct and not churches.
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4 Articles
Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking to Block Tennessee Human Smuggling Law
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block Tennessee’s human smuggling law after finding the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a credible threat of prosecution, while declining to rule on the law’s constitutionality. U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell Jr. dismissed the lawsuit last week without prejudice after concluding the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-118, which took effect July 1, 2025.
Tennessee Lookout
Daily Post-AthenianJudge dismisses Lutheran church challenge to Tennessee law making it a crime to harbor immigrants
A federal judge on Sept. 20. 2026 dismissed a challenge to Tennessee's human smuggling law brought by Lutheran churches. Rev. Rick Roberts, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donelson and Rev. Matt Steinhauer, interim pastor of St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Franklin, knelt in front of lawmakers debating a bill to deny an education to some immigrant children during the spring 2025 session of the Tennessee Legislature. (Photo: John Partipilo…
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