Nashville, Tennessee — A new Tennessee law requiring sheriffs to cooperate more directly with federal immigration authorities is already triggering legal disputes in Nashville, where Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall says his office is exempt from the measure.
The legislation, which now heads to Republican Gov. Bill Lee for final approval, mandates that Tennessee sheriffs enter into at least one federal 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, allowing local agencies to assist with immigration enforcement operations. Supporters say the law strengthens coordination between local and federal officials on immigration enforcement, while critics warn it could expand deportation efforts and deepen tensions in immigrant communities.
Sheriff Hall said Metro Nashville attorneys concluded the law does not apply to his office because he is not certified through Tennessee’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. Unlike many counties, the Davidson County sheriff’s office primarily operates jails and serves warrants rather than conducting traditional policing duties.
Hall said his department already cooperates extensively with ICE, noting that 632 people arrested on local charges were transferred from Nashville jails into ICE custody over the past year.
State Sen. Jack Johnson, the Republican sponsor of the legislation, said lawmakers intended the law to apply broadly to Tennessee sheriff departments, though he acknowledged legal interpretation questions may ultimately need clarification from courts or state officials.
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