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Committee advances bill to shield identities and operational details of immigration enforcement officers after heated debate
Summary
The State and Local Government Committee advanced HB256, which would keep names, home addresses and details of immigration enforcement operations confidential; supporters cited officer safety while opponents and public witnesses warned it could undermine transparency and filming of enforcement actions. The measure passed 16‑5 and was sent to Government Operations.
The State and Local Government Committee on March 11 advanced House Bill 256, a measure that would make the names, home addresses, contact information and certain operational details of federal, state and local officers involved in immigration enforcement confidential.
Sponsor Chairman How said the legislation is prompted by officer safety concerns and recent incidents in other states, and that current law already contains confidentiality protections for undercover officers. “This bill simply mirrors what’s already in the law in Tennessee concerning confidentiality provisions that already exist,” he said.
Opponents — including a public witness who spoke during the committee’s hearing — warned the bill would weaken public accountability. Ashley Warington, who testified in opposition, said, “Public trust requires transparency and accountability.” She described witnessing enforcement operations she called aggressive and said limiting the ability to document encounters could prevent families and reporters from seeing what happened.
Committee members pressed the sponsor on specific points, including whether the bill would bar filming of officers (the sponsor said it would not) and how local officials or private companies that publish officer contact details would be treated. At one point members voted to end debate (the previous question), which passed 15‑5. On the final passage vote, HB256 carried 16‑5 and was referred to the Government Operations committee.
Supporters argued the bill would protect officers and their families from doxxing and targeted violence, citing readily available commercial databases that can reveal home addresses. Opponents said the proposal would create obstacles for public scrutiny and suggested existing investigatory mechanisms should remain available.
The committee’s action does not immediately change law; HB256 will face further consideration in Government Operations. The committee also heard related public testimony and returned to other bills on the agenda.
(Outcome: HB256 passed the committee 16‑5 and was referred to Government Operations.)
