Gov. Lee outlines immigration changes he is proposing for Special Session
He wants to create a new Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer for Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has shared more details on the immigration bills he is proposing that lawmakers tackle next week in the Special Session.
He is proposing creating a new branch of the Department of Safety to handle immigration issues.
The Governor is also proposing tougher state I-D’s, financial incentives to local governments to improve immigration enforcement, and punishing local officials who create “sanctuary city policies and even remove them from office.
“Tennessee has a long track record of stepping up to secure our Nation’s borders and strengthening public safety,” said Gov. Lee. “President Trump has made it clear that states will play a major role in partnering with his Administration to enforce immigration laws and keep communities safe, and Tennessee is heeding the call.”
Here is what the Governor is proposing in his own words:
1. Establishes the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIEO): Creates a new division within the Department of Safety to ensure efficient resource allocation and effective enforcement of immigration laws. Appointed by the Governor, the Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer (CIEO) will coordinate directly with the Trump Administration on federal immigration policies and implementation.
2. Raises standards for obtaining state-issued IDs: Restricts eligibility for state-issued IDs to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with federal authorization for a specified period, introduces visually distinctive markers on temporary licenses issued to non-citizens, and mandates proof of citizenship for renewal or reinstatement of driver licenses.
3. Local accountability: Creates a Class E felony offense for local officials who adopt or maintain sanctuary city policies in violation of state law and empowers the Tennessee Attorney General to initiate removal proceedings for officials convicted of violating anti-sanctuary city provisions.
4. Incentivizes local government participation in enforcement of federal immigration policies: Incentivizes local governments to enter into agreements with federal authorities under the 287(g) program to assist with immigration law enforcement, detention, and removal efforts and establishes penalties for officials who fail to comply with enforcement mandates.
5. Creates Immigration Enforcement Grant Program: Allocates funding for local governments to assist with training law enforcement officers, operational expenses and purchasing necessary equipment, and other eligible activities to support federal and state immigration policies.
“With the new Trump administration coming into office with a mandate to enforce our laws and secure our border, states must ready themselves to assist and support them in this effort,” said Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), “Tennessee’s commitment to enforcing immigration law has never been in question. This legislation allows us to put that commitment into action now that we have a willing federal partner in President Trump. This bill will enable us to aid the federal government in the efficient identification and deportation of aliens with violent felonies and extensive criminal records. This comprehensive legislation places a clear cooperative structure in place so that state and local authorities can quickly work with the federal government to assist in what will be an unprecedented effort to secure the safety and sovereignty of our state and our nation.”
“With this legislation, Tennessee continues to lead the nation in fighting illegal immigration,” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), the Senate sponsor of the legislation. “This bold proposal will help alleviate the burden of illegal immigration on local governments by centralizing immigration enforcement, making it easier for the state and local governments to work with federal authorities to remove dangerous illegal immigrants from our communities. Additionally, we are taking action to hold local officials accountable for unlawfully harboring illegal immigrants, in clear violation of our state’s sanctuary city ban. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Trump administration to uphold the rule of law and protect state sovereignty.”
“Our local law enforcement officers and agencies are on the front lines every day. This legislation will provide them with additional training, equipment, and resources they will need to enforce federal immigration laws quickly and effectively,” said Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson), the Senate co-prime sponsor on the bill. “We are not only deeply committed to supporting our law enforcement partners at all levels but also to protecting our communities and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.”
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House Democratic Chairman John Ray Clemmons of Nashville issued this response to Governor Bill Lee’s immigration agenda:
“The governor’s surprising inclusion of immigration legislation in this special session is just another transparent attempt to distract attention from his voucher scam. Providing overdue and much-needed financial aid and relief for the Tennessee families and communities devastated by flooding in September should be our focus and singular priority during this special session. I join with my fellow Tennesseans who are deeply offended by Gov. Lee’s inexcusable four-month delay in providing this flood relief and his use of an aid package as political leverage to secure votes for his voucher scam. We Democrats are united in our full support of flood relief and aid for our fellow Tennesseans, as well as our staunch opposition to Bill Lee’s voucher scam and his ongoing attacks on our local public schools.”
