Tennessee Senate Bill SB0006

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/19/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 7; Title 38; Title 39; Title 55 and Title 67, relative to illegal immigration.

Impact

Under this bill, if the law enforcement agency receives an immigration detainer, it must maintain custody of the individual until they are either taken by ICE or until the detainer's specified period expires. If no detainer is received before the individual is to be released, the agency is required to transport the individual to a city with a sanctuary policy that is located outside of Tennessee, and they must report related costs to the Department of Revenue. This could impose new financial and logistical burdens on local law enforcement agencies and potentially alter how they handle immigration-related detentions.

Summary

Senate Bill 0006, known as 'The Tennessee Illegal Immigration Act', is designed to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated relating to illegal immigration. The bill outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies in regard to individuals they detain who are known to be unlawfully present in the United States. It mandates that such agencies request an immigration detainer from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as soon as possible after taking an individual into custody.

Contention

The act could lead to significant changes in state law concerning the treatment of illegal immigrants. Proponents argue that it enforces immigration laws more strictly and allows state resources to be used effectively in dealing with unlawfully present individuals. However, critics may perceive this bill as overreach that could complicate law enforcement operations and strain relationships between communities and local police forces, especially communities that identify as sanctuary cities. The mandatory transportation provision raises concerns about the appropriateness and consequences of transferring individuals to distant locales.