Bill that would require sheriff departments to join ICE programs advances

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Controversial partnerships between local sheriffs and ICE agents may soon be a requirement across the state of Tennessee.

A bill is looking to require every single sheriff’s department to enter into ICE’s 287 g immigration enforcement program.

Over 50 counties, including Hamilton, are already involved in the program.

These agreements require the local agencies who detain undocumented people to report them to ICE as the first step of immigration enforcement.

There have been protests locally against Hamilton County’s involvement in this program, as opponents say local officers should not be tasked with immigration enforcement.

However the sponsor of this bill, Senator Jack Johnson, says that Tennessee should take advantage of the Trump administration’s willingness to be tough on the border.

Senator Johnson said, “We have an administration now in Washington that is actually (enforcing a strong border) and Tennessee has thus far been a real leader in terms of our level of cooperation with those federal immigration enforcement officers.”

That bill was approved by a subcommittee Wednesday.

However, Senator Todd Gardenhire, a Republican from Chattanooga, voted against it.