House passes immigration enforcement bill creating state program, penalties for sanctuary policies

The Tennessee House passed Senate Bill 2 on third consideration, creating a statewide immigration-enforcement framework, a classification on certain non‑citizen driver's licenses and penalties for local governments that adopt sanctuary policies.

What the bill does (floor summary): The measure authorizes a centralized immigration enforcement division (described in debate as a 2-87G program) that coordinates with federal authorities on removal of noncitizens who are in the country unlawfully and who have criminal histories. The bill also requires a distinct marking on state-issued driver identification for noncitizen legal residents (not presented as voting cards) and makes it a felony for local officials to adopt a discoverable sanctuary policy under the statutory definition discussed on the floor. The transcript records lengthy debate about constitutional protections for…