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HB 2219

Immigration - As introduced, requires a local government entity to comply with a court order regarding an unlawful sanctuary policy within 120 days of the issuance of the court's order. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 8; Title 16; Title 17; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Johnny Garrett

Bill requires Tennessee local governments to comply with court orders overturning sanctuary immigration policies within 120 days or face state enforcement action.

Sponsor(s) Added.
#immigration
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2219

Legislative bill overview

HB 2219 requires local government entities in Tennessee to comply with court orders declaring their sanctuary policies unlawful within 120 days of the court's ruling. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code to enforce this compliance timeline and appears to establish consequences or procedures for non-compliance.

Why is this important

Sanctuary policies restrict local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This bill creates a legal mechanism to override local policies deemed unlawful by courts, directly affecting how communities handle immigration enforcement and police-community relations. The 120-day deadline creates a hard enforcement timeline with statewide implications.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "unlawful sanctuary policy": The bill doesn't define what constitutes an unlawful sanctuary policy, leaving interpretation to courts and potentially creating litigation over which policies are targeted
  • Local autonomy vs. state/federal authority: Supporters of sanctuary policies argue communities have the right to set local enforcement priorities; opponents argue immigration enforcement should be consistent statewide
  • Implementation compliance: The 120-day timeline may be impractical for some jurisdictions to restructure policies, legal frameworks, and training procedures without clarity on enforcement mechanisms or penalties

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

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