Tennessee Legislature Passes Bill Requiring ICE Partnerships for Sheriffs

The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation requiring all 95 county sheriffs to enter cooperative 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill, designated as SB 2223/HB 2219, first cleared the House of Representatives with a 9-2 vote before receiving approval from the Senate. It now awaits the signature of Governor Bill Lee.

Under the mandate, sheriffs must complete their contracts by January 1, 2027. Participating agencies may choose from jail, warrant, or task force models, and may be required to hold inmates for up to 48 hours past their release date at the request of federal officials. Local police departments are exempt from these requirements. The state appropriated $5 million in 2025 to provide incentives for start-up costs, while ICE provides training and reimburses participating agencies for the salaries and benefits of designated officers.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson defended the measure, stating the focus is on removing violent illegal aliens from communities. Conversely, Democratic opponents, including Senator Jeff Yarbro and Senator Heidi Campbell, criticized the bill as an unfunded mandate that violates the state constitution and creates fear within the community. Failure to comply with the mandate may result in the state withholding all state funds allotted to the sheriff's office or the local government's funding for that office.