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Tenn. GOP Lawmakers Seek Required IDs Reading "Alien" and "Non-U.S. Citizen"

capitol.tn.gov

Two Republican lawmakers in Tennessee want to require government-issued IDs to prominently feature the words "alien" or "non-U.S. citizen" in capital letters for anyone without permanent residency status. 

The Tennessean reportsthat the bill is sponsored by Representative John Ragan of Oak Ridge and Senator Ed Jackson of Jackson.

Non-citizens are able to apply for temporary driver's licenses in Tennessee as long as they provide proof of legal presence and pass a driving test.

State lawmakers have tried in the past to require the written portion of the license test to be offered only in English, but economic development officials argued that the change could have hurt investment foreign companies.

Temporary driver's licenses expire on the same date as visas to work or study in the United States.

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