Tennessee Senate Bill SB1364

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 8, relative to immigration.

Summary

SB1364 amends Tennessee’s immigration-related law governing local law enforcement participation in federal immigration enforcement programs. The bill changes Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-68-105(b) to require each law enforcement agency to negotiate the terms of a memorandum of agreement with the appropriate federal official so the agency may participate in the federal 287(g) program under 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g). It also specifically authorizes officers from those agencies to participate in the federal warrant service officer program administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security. In practical terms, the bill would strengthen and formalize local-federal cooperation on immigration enforcement by making participation in these federal programs a statutory requirement for law enforcement agencies, rather than leaving it discretionary. The measure takes effect immediately upon becoming law, reflecting the legislature’s stated view that the public welfare requires prompt implementation.

Impact

The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 7, Section 7-68-105(b), expanding and clarifying the authority and obligations of local law enforcement agencies regarding federal immigration enforcement partnerships. It would require agencies to enter memoranda of agreement for participation in the 287(g) program and authorize participation in ICE’s warrant service officer program, thereby affecting local police and sheriff’s departments that engage in immigration-related enforcement cooperation with federal authorities.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a pro-enforcement approach to immigration policy and a preference for closer coordination between Tennessee law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

Contention

The bill’s main point of potential contention is the mandate that law enforcement agencies negotiate agreements to participate in federal immigration enforcement programs, which could raise concerns about local autonomy, resource allocation, and the role of local police in immigration matters. Supporters would likely favor the bill for enhancing cooperation with federal authorities and strengthening immigration enforcement, while opponents may object to the expansion of local involvement in federal immigration enforcement and the possible impact on community trust and policing priorities.