Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee Hears Bill Requiring State Courts to Cooperate With Federal Immigration Enforcement
Summary
Representative Scarborough introduced HB 17-07, which would require Tennessee courts to cooperate with federal immigration authorities; members raised questions about whether it adds new duties or restates existing enforcement options and about applicability to protective-order proceedings.
Representative Scarborough told the committee HB 17-07 would require all Tennessee courts to cooperate with federal immigration authorities when they enforce federal immigration laws and that judges who obstruct lawful federal enforcement could face referral to the board of judicial conduct.
"HB 17 7 requires that all courts in Tennessee must cooperate with federal immigration authorities when they are enforcing immigration laws in this bill," Representative Scarborough said, describing the measure as proactive. Members asked how the bill would apply in specific settings, including when a judge hears an order of protection or when an undocumented person is involved; Scarborough said the bill applies to all state courts and is designed as a proactive policy.
Some committee members expressed that referral to the board of judicial conduct and existing procedures may already cover misconduct; Scarborough said he could not point to a specific Tennessee example but framed the bill as establishing a clear policy.
