Tennessee Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Send Migrants to Sanctuary Cities Instead of Deportation

A Tennessee state lawmaker, Representative Todd Warner, has proposed a bill that would send migrants accused of minor crimes to sanctuary cities instead of deporting them. He also wants to make sure that all agencies report migrants to immigration authorities.

Warner believes that sending migrants to sanctuary cities might cost Tennessee less than deporting them, even if the federal government would cover those costs later.

The bill, called the Tennessee Illegal Immigration Act, would work like this: if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) doesn’t respond within 48 hours after a migrant is detained, the state would help send the person to a sanctuary city. Warner says the plan aims to make Tennessee safer and push the federal government to enforce immigration laws. He also hopes to get some of the costs back by withholding part of Tennessee’s gas tax revenue.

Warner added that the bill would only apply to migrants charged with minor crimes, not violent criminals, who would still face the judicial system and be deported.

Critics, like Hannah Smalley from Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, argue that the plan could break up families and harm individuals who haven’t committed serious crimes, just based on their immigration status. She believes that the focus should be on treating all people fairly, regardless of where they come from.

Warner plans to make some adjustments to the bill and is hoping to gain support from both Republicans and Democrats. Local law enforcement agencies have not yet commented on the bill as it is still in the early stages.