Committee advances bill to expand state immigration enforcement, sparking constitutional and fiscal concerns

The State and Local Government Committee voted 6-3 to pass Senate Bill 6002, a broad measure that would centralize state immigration enforcement, fund local participation in federal 287(g) agreements and restrict the use of temporary driver's licenses for voter identification.

Senator Ken Watson, sponsor of the bill, told the committee "Senate Bill 6,002 strengthens Tennessee's efforts to combat illegal immigration by aligning state policies with President Trump's immigration enforcement policies." Watson described four components: creation of a centralized immigration enforcement division within the Department of Safety; authority for a chief immigration enforcement officer to negotiate a statewide 287(g) agreement; grants to local governments to support participation in 287(g) (for training, equipment and operational costs); and driver's-license reforms that would restrict eligibility to U.S. citizens,…