NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee’s role in mass deportations, among other efforts to tackle illegal immigration, will be up for debate during the special legislative session.
Gov. Bill Lee outlined his proposals to address illegal immigration as a part of the special session, which were included in a bill filed by majority leaders this week. House Majority Leader, Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) said it’s an important issue to Tennesseans.
“We have illegal immigrants now throughout our country and throughout Tennessee, and we have to figure out how to make sure those folks who are here illegally are deported fairly, but that legal immigrants and U.S. citizens, that their rights are not infringed in any way,” Lamberth said.
The bill includes a “comprehensive framework” to crack down on illegal immigration, according to Gov. Lee, including a proposal to create the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIEO) within the Tennessee Department of Safety, which would ensure the state has enough resources to enforce immigration laws, and that they are being enforced effectively.
In addition, Gov. Lee would appoint a Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer who would work directly with the Trump Administration on federal immigration policies and implementation.
“Having an immigration individual there that can liaise with the federal government and make sure that we are coordinating with their policies very well,” Lamberth said.
The bill would incentivize state and local governments to participate in enforcing federal immigration policies. Law enforcement departments would receive grant money for allowing the federal government to deputize some of their officers to assist the federal government in deporting, detaining and investigating illegal immigrants, giving them some of the same powers as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations agents.
However, Republican lawmakers and Gov. Lee have previously said they’re waiting for more details from the president before acting.
“I think we’re here to offer assistance to the federal government in whatever role they need assistance in,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) said. “I think first and foremost, I would assume President Trump will probably go after the illegals who have committed illegal acts and get them out of the country first and foremost.”
In addition, the bill would make it a Class E felony for local leaders to adopt or maintain sanctuary city policies, similar to President Trump’s threats to penalize sanctuary cities.
Finally, the bill would prevent individuals who aren’t U.S. citizens, lawful, permanent residents, and individuals with federal authorization for a specified period, from obtaining a state-issued ID. Instead, it would introduce “visually distinctive markers” on temporary licenses issued to non-citizens to prevent them from voting or obtaining any other government services they aren’t qualified to receive.
“We’ve done a lot in Tennessee already to combat illegal immigration, but we can always look to see if we can do more,” added Lamberth.
The special session will begin Monday, Jan. 27. Lawmakers will also address school vouchers and Hurricane Helene relief.
