Image Credit: U.S. Customs & Border Protection / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
An illegal immigration bill requiring law enforcement to report illegal immigrants to the federal government is scheduled to be heard in the House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024.
House Bill 2124 (HB2124), as introduced “requires, rather than authorizes, law enforcement agencies to communicate with the appropriate federal official regarding the immigration status of any individual.”
This includes reporting knowledge of an immigrant or immigrants who are not legally in the United States.
The legislation would also require that law enforcement agencies “otherwise cooperate with the appropriate federal official in the identification, apprehension, detention, or removal of aliens not lawfully present in the United States.”
Current Tennessee law simply “authorizes” but does not require law enforcement to do these things.
If passed in the Tennessee General Assembly this legislation would take effect on July 1st, 2024.
HB2124 is being sponsored by Rep. Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77) and the corresponding Senate Bill 2576 (SB2576), is being sponsored by Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31).
Representatives Tom Leatherwood, Mark Cochran, Kip Capley, Timothy Hill, Chris Todd, Debra Moody and Jody Barrett, as well as Sen. Paul Rose are currently listed as co-sponsors of this legislation.
To voice your support or opposition to HB2124 as summarized above, use the information below to contact the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee members prior to their scheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024.
John Holsclaw (R-Chair) – rep.john.holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7450
Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448
Michele Carringer (R) – rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1721
Jesse Chism (D) – rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6954
Kirk Haston (R) – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0750
Kelly Keisling (R) – rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6852
Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7477
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.
