Tennessee lawmakers plan more immigration bills this year

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – The Tennessee Legislature begins this year’s session today at noon (CST).

Republicans, who hold a super-majority in the legislature, are talking about more bills this session to support the President’s immigration crackdown.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton tells WTVF in Nashville that he has been working with the White House on a package that could be a model for other states.

He says the focus will be on making state data available to federal officials.

The Speaker says lawmakers are looking at eight to nine immigration bills.

But the specifics won’t come out until later in the week.

The Senate Majority Leader is backing a bill that specifically would protect ICE agents.

It would punish anyone who reveals personal information about law enforcement agents for the purpose of threatening them.

It follows an incident last year where the city of Nashville posted information that included the name of ICE agents.

The mayor said it was a mistake and immediately took down the post.