KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knox County commissioners plan to discuss an ordinance that would require nonprofits to certify they are not using county funds to assist undocumented immigrants.

The proposal, introduced by Commissioners Angela Russell and Andy Fox, aims to add financial oversight. But some community advocates argue the move could harm immigrant families and disrupt local nonprofit work.

“Commissioners Fox and Russell may have had the best of intentions, but this feels like an unfortunate overreach on the part of the county commission,” said Noah Jones with Bridge Refugee Services. “What they’re asking to do is have certification that funds from Knox County won’t be spent on undocumented folks.”

Bridge Refugee Services works with hundreds of new arrivals each year, including C

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