Governor signs bill requiring police to report illegal immigrants
The new law, which takes effect on July 1, would require law enforcement agencies to report illegal immigrants to ICE.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Major changes are coming to immigration laws across Tennessee.
Gov. Bill Lee signed a new law requiring all police in the state to report any illegal immigrants they come across to ICE and help turn them in.
The new law will take effect July 1.
Currently, law enforcement is not specifically required to report illegal immigrants to the federal government. A legislative analysis found most, if not all, law enforcement agencies already do this.
Lee said it’s just common sense and it will help keep the state safe.
“It’s important that the appropriate authorities are notified of the status of that individual. I think that makes sense,” Lee said.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said he’s not sure this is a good idea.
Metro Nashville Police are worried that the new law could erode the trust that officers have built with immigrant communities while also giving them more work, but no new support.
O’Connell said the city’s legal team is going to take a closer look at the new law.
“It was clear that police chiefs across the state were not very supportive of this,” O’Connell said. “Part of the reason is that the bill doesn’t offer anything by way of additional training or funding for anything that might change. We’ll be talking to legal extensively now that it’s been signed.
Immigration has been one of Lee’s top priorities this year.
He visited Eagle Pass, Texas, in February and he’s deployed hundreds of Tennessee National Guardsmen to the border to help out.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.
