WPBN: By mandating that local law enforcement transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities and focusing on the color of noncitizens’ driver’s licenses, two Tennessee lawmakers have suggested new tactics to combat illegal immigration.
Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill) is the sponsor of House Bill 10, which would mandate that local police request an ICE detainer for each illegal immigrant they come across in the state. The local agency would have to take the illegal immigrant to a sanctuary city outside of Tennessee that is within 700 miles of the department if ICE rejects the detainer.
Travel expenses would have to be reimbursed by the federal government. Tennessee would withhold its federal motor gasoline taxes earned within the state if they didn’t comply.
“It shouldn’t be the state, or the county, or the city’s responsibility to take care of these illegals when our federal government has let us down and not enforced the federal immigration laws we have on the books,” Rep. Warner stated.
The primary objective of the bill, according to Representative Warner, is to protect Tennessee from the narcotics and criminal activity that illegal immigration has brought to the state.
‘Illegal immigration and crime across the country has been on the rise, especially since the Biden Administration hasn’t enforced our border policies,” Rep. Warner stated. “You had the director of the TBI on talking about the Venezuelan gangs that have moved into Tennessee. We see fentanyl overdose deaths at an all-time high, so I think those are two things that have been pointed out over the last two weeks by your news organization that are very serious problems for the constituents of the state of Tennessee.”
Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) is the sponsor of House Bill 11, which would grant noncitizens driver’s licenses of various colors.
Everyone must already prove their citizenship in order to receive a Tennessee license, despite the bill’s sponsors’ claims that it would make it simpler for employers and other organizations to determine whether someone has previously done so.
The bill’s opponents claimed it would unfairly target noncitizens who are lawfully in the country, such as those with travel visas or Green Cards, and squander state resources.
Hannah Smalley, the Advocacy and Education Manager for Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (TNJFON), stated, “For people who don’t understand the complexities of the immigration system and the different kinds of statuses someone could have, it might suggest to them, incorrectly, information about people’s status that could result in unlawful detention, discrimination in employment and really any other time you need to show your ID.”
Rep. Warner’s sanctuary cities bill also drew criticism from Smalley, who claimed it duplicated some of the actions currently taken by ICE when local law enforcement apprehends an illegal immigrant.
“And then if ICE is deciding not to take custody of someone, to then transport them out of state away from their family, away from their workplace, away from potentially their school, because I also want to highlight this law has no exception for minors, that’s not only damaging to the community, but it’s a waste of our local resources,” Smalley stated.
Florida Lawmaker Pushes for Changes to 30A Beach Use Statute with New Bill
Families may remain together, but Rep. Warner told that he is not if other legislation dictate what happens to youngsters in those circumstances or how law enforcement handles those cases.
Rep. Warner added that in order to lessen the time strain illegal immigration may put on departments, law enforcement agencies might collaborate to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary communities.
Cepicky’s driver’s license bill would take effect on January 1, 2026, if it passes. Warner’s sanctuary cities law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if it passes.
DMV Faces Backlash, Apologizes for License Plate Mocking Israel’s October 7 Tragedy
Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) is the Senate sponsor of both proposals.
