Tennessee Code 7-68-101 prohibits Memphis and all local governments from adopting sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. MPD must honor ICE detainers and share information when requested by federal authorities.
Tennessee's anti-sanctuary law (TCA 7-68-101 to 7-68-105, enacted 2018) bars municipalities from policies prohibiting communication with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, refusing detainer requests, or restricting employee inquiries about immigration status. Violating cities lose state economic-development funds. Memphis Police Department cooperates with ICE on serious-crime cases and honors detainer warrants. Shelby County Jail screens arrestees through ICE. Critics including Latino Memphis argue the law deters crime victims from reporting; the city counters that it follows state law while limiting routine immigration inquiries during community policing.
Cities adopting sanctuary policies forfeit state economic-development grants and may face state attorney general enforcement plus loss of state-shared revenue.
See how Memphis's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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