Nashville cannot adopt sanctuary city policies. Tennessee TCA 7-68-101 prohibits local jurisdictions from limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities and authorizes funding cuts for noncompliance.
Metro Nashville-Davidson County is barred under TCA 7-68-101 et seq. from enacting sanctuary policies that restrict communication or cooperation between Metro Police, the Davidson County Sheriff, or other Metro agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Tennessee law requires local law enforcement to honor ICE detainer requests, share immigration status information when requested, and avoid policies that prohibit officers from inquiring about immigration status. Violation triggers loss of state economic and community development funds. The Davidson County Sheriff terminated a 287(g) jail enforcement agreement in 2012 but continues to share booking data with ICE. Metro Council passed nonbinding welcoming city resolutions, but operational sanctuary policies are prohibited.
Local jurisdictions adopting sanctuary policies face termination of state economic and community development grants under TCA 7-68-104. Individual officials authorizing noncompliance can face civil penalties, and Tennessee Attorney General may seek injunctive relief.
See how Nashville's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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