Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Requiring Sheriff Cooperation with ICE
Tennessee Senate approves requiring sheriffs to hold immigration detainees 48 hours beyond release, while second bill could mandate all departments join ICE program or lose funding.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — The Tennessee Senate approved legislation Tuesday requiring county sheriffs to hold inmates sought by federal immigration agents for at least 48 hours beyond their normal release date. This move advances a Republican-backed effort to expand immigration enforcement across the state.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor of Memphis and Rep. Mark Cochran of Englewood, passed on a party-line 27-5 vote and now awaits Governor Bill Lee’s signature. The measure applies only to sheriffs’ departments that have entered into 287(g) agreements with the federal government to enforce immigration law.
Half of Tennessee Sheriffs Join Federal Program
About half of all Tennessee sheriffs entered the 287(g) program this year amid a push by the Trump administration to broaden immigration enforcement activities across the country. The agreements allow local law enforcement to perform certain immigration enforcement functions under federal supervision.
Despite Republican leaders setting aside $5 million in state funding to assist sheriff and police departments with added immigration enforcement responsibilities, dozens of sheriffs across the state have declined to enter the agreements, which have proven costly to local law enforcement departments nationwide.
Second Bill Would Mandate Participation
A separate piece of legislation could force the remaining holdout departments to participate or face financial consequences. The bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin and Rep. Johnny Garrett of Goodlettsville, requires all other sheriffs’ departments to enter into the federal immigration enforcement agreements or risk loss of state funding.
This second measure is expected to be considered in a legislative committee in the coming week. The proposal would effectively mandate participation in the 287(g) program for all Tennessee sheriff departments, regardless of local preferences or budget concerns.
State Funding Available for Enforcement
Tennessee Republican leaders have allocated significant resources to support local immigration enforcement efforts. The $5 million in state funding represents an attempt to offset the costs that have made some sheriffs hesitant to join the federal program.
The 287(g) agreements require local departments to train officers, dedicate staff time to immigration enforcement, and coordinate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. These requirements have created budget challenges for some smaller departments across Tennessee.
The legislation comes as the Trump administration continues to expand immigration enforcement partnerships with local law enforcement agencies nationwide. Tennessee’s approach represents one of the most comprehensive state-level efforts to ensure sheriff participation in federal immigration programs.
