Case Explained: New immigration bill requires local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE – Legal Perspective

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A new Tennessee bill would require local law enforcement agencies to work with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through a 287(g) agreement.

The 287(g) agreement gives law enforcement limited authority to help ICE crack down on illegal immigration, and in exchange, the agencies are promised resources such as training.

The number of Tennessee local law enforcement agencies participating in the 287(g) program has gone up more than fivefold since FOX 17 News first reported on the issue in June of 2025.

According to the ICE database, the number of participating agencies is now up to 60.

• 48 Sheriff’s Offices (each counted only once, even if they have multiple MOAs/models)
• 8 Constable Districts (each treated as a separate participating agency)
• 4 Police Departments

Currently, participation in the 287(g) program is optional. State representative Johnny Garrett, who is the co-sponsor of SB 2223/HB 2219, wants to make it mandatory. Under the proposal, agencies that do not comply risk losing funding.

“Democrats would rather put illegal aliens above the safety of Americans,” said Garrett.

He said the focus is to curb violent crime.

“Illegal immigrants are committing these crimes,” said Garrett. “What better way to combat those crimes than every single law enforcement agency on the local level, or even at the federal level, the Department of Homeland Security? Why can’t they work together?”

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Democratic Rep. Gabby Salinas of Memphis pushed back, saying not all undocumented immigrants are criminals.

“The majority of people don’t have criminal records,” Salinas said.

Salinas also argued that requiring agencies to join the program could erode trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.

“I think this makes it harder for victims to come forward and turn in the people who have committed crimes against them,” she said.

The 287(g) program includes multiple models of cooperation.

JAIL ENFORCEMENT MODEL: Allows authorities to identify and process undocumented immigrants already in custody.

WARRANT SERVICE OFFICER MODEL: Allows local officers to execute administrative warrants.

TRIBAL TASK FORCE MODEL: Serves as a force multiplier for tribal law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight under Title 25 USC 2804.

TASK FORCE MODEL: Gives officers limited immigration enforcement authority in the field, including arrests.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ICE CRACKDOWN COVERAGE

At least 11 Tennessee agencies are currently participating in the task force model.

Salinas said the proposal unfairly targets undocumented immigrants, while Garrett maintains the measure is focused on public safety.

“Democrats would rather put illegal aliens above the safety of Americans,” Garrett said.

The bill passed in the Senate State and Local Government Committee on March 25, but got moved from the House State & Local Government Committee for March 31.