Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A bill to require local law enforcement agencies in Tennessee to report illegal immigrants in their custody to the federal government was passed in the state Senate by a 26-7 vote on Monday.
Senate Bill 2576 (SB2576) is sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31).
The corresponding House bill, HB2124, is sponsored by Rep. Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77) and was passed in the House of Representatives on March 14th by a 74-22 vote.
“Several years ago, the state authorized law enforcement to do just what this bill is mandating, and this is just providing some consistency across the state, because when the General Assembly previously authorized law enforcement to do this some law enforcement agencies are reporting, others aren’t,” Sen. Taylor told his colleagues on the Senate floor.
Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville-District 20) brought an amendment to the legislation which she explained would create an exception for victims of human trafficking and sexual assault.
“This amendment is similar to exceptions we’ve seen in Texas and Florida,” explained Sen. Campbell. “Domestic violence survivors, rape survivors, and especially human trafficking victims forced here against their will would be reluctant to report their abusers if this bill required law enforcement to report the victim’s civil immigration status.”
Sen. Taylor stated that he carefully considered this amendment but after conversations with the attorney for the Judiciary Committee and the District Attorneys Conference believed that the amendment would undermine the purpose of the legislation.
He said the District Attorneys Conference felt “that there are built in protections in federal law to protect the victim and the witness of crimes. That they are protected from deportation, and that is done in consultation with not only the U.S. attorney but also the district attorney.”
Sen. Campbell’s amendment was tabled by a 26-7 vote and discussion on the legislation continued.
Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville-District 19) asked if this bill would apply to school resource officers (SROs) working in Tennessee schools.
According to Sen. Taylor, this legislation would not apply to SROs and is not meant to target illegal immigrant children simply attending school but is directed toward illegal immigrants already in custody for committing another crime.
“The way this will be enforced is when someone who has, in addition to being in the country illegally, has committed yet another crime and they are detained by law enforcement,” Sen. Taylor explained, “and if they are here illegally that is to be reported to the appropriate federal officials.”
After almost an hour of Senate proceedings on HB2124/SB2576, the legislation was passed in the Senate by a vote of 26-7.
Republican Senators voting in favor of the legislation were Bailey, Bowling, Briggs, Crowe, Haile, Hensley, Jackson, Johnson, Lowe, Lundberg, Massey, Niceley, Pody, Powers, Reeves, Roberts, Rose, Southerland, Stevens, Swann, Taylor, Walley, Watson, White, Yager, and Lt. Gov. McNally.
The only Republican who voted against the legislation was Sen. Gardenhire, alongside Democrat Senators Akbari, Campbell, Kyle, Lamar, Oliver, and Yarbro.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.