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SB 1973

Immigration - As introduced, enacts the “Tennessee Freedom from Unlawful Immigration Detention Act.” - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38; Title 40 and Title 41.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Raumesh Akbari

Tennessee bill restricts local law enforcement participation in federal immigration detention without explicit authorization, potentially limiting ICE cooperation and redefining state liability.

Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 1973

Legislative bill overview

SB 1973, the "Tennessee Freedom from Unlawful Immigration Detention Act," amends multiple Tennessee code titles to establish protections against what sponsors characterize as unlawful immigration detention. The bill modifies statutes governing local government operations, law enforcement procedures, and judicial processes related to immigration matters.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects how Tennessee law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities and how state resources are deployed in immigration enforcement. The outcome will determine whether local jurisdictions can be compelled to participate in or fund immigration detention activities, impacting both fiscal responsibilities and civil liberties frameworks across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "unlawful" detention: The bill's definition of what constitutes unlawful immigration detention may conflict with federal immigration law and existing agreements between state/local agencies and ICE, creating legal ambiguity
  • Law enforcement cooperation vs. autonomy: Tensions between federal immigration enforcement expectations and state/local agency independence in determining participation levels
  • Resource and liability allocation: Disagreement over which entities bear costs and legal liability when immigration detention occurs, particularly regarding jurisdictions with federal detention agreements already in place

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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