Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee passed a bill requiring law enforcement to report illegal immigrants to the federal government in their Wednesday meeting.
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.”
The bill’s sponsor, State Representative Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77), presented the bill to the subcommittee. He noted that the legislation would force law enforcement agencies to report contact with illegal immigrants rather than just giving them authorization to do so.
Representative Michele Carringer (R-Knoxville-District 16) shared a personal story and thanked Grills for bringing the bill. She then told him that she would be co-sponsoring the bill.
Representative Jesse Chism (D-Memphis-District 85) asked how much of an extra burden the legislation would place on law enforcement.
Grills responded that he did not think it would cause any extra burden.
Carringer then noted that in relation to the story she shared, taxpayers were having to house illegal immigrants in Knox County jail, so ICE was called to take the immigrants.
To end discussion, the bill was called to question. Following, Chairman John Holsclaw, Jr. (R-Elizabethton-District 4), called for a voice vote.
Ayes prevailed with only Representative Chism requesting that his vote be recorded as ‘No’.
Then bill has been placed on the full House State Government Committee calendar for February 28, 2024.
