Tennessee gov to let ban on ‘sanctuary cities’ become law

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R) announced Monday that he will allow legislation banning so-called sanctuary cities in the state to become law without his signature, the Tennessean reported.

The measure would mandate that local law enforcement officials comply with U.S. immigration policy, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests to hold immigrants for purposes of deportation.

“I think the best thing for the state to do with this decision is to move on from it,” Haslam reportedly said.

The sanctuary cities ban was passed in April by veto-proof margins, clearing the state House by a 63-23 vote and the state Senate by 27-5.

The governor’s decision to allow the bill to become law has stirred up opposition all sides.

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Law enforcement agencies in the state oppose the bill, arguing that its requirements that local law enforcement officers comply with ICE places additional burdens on them.

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and some Nashville City Council members also blasted the governor’s decision.

Fabian Bedne, a Nashville councilman, already said on Twitter that he plans to begin looking at legal options to stop the “irresponsible” mandate.

I am going to start looking into what legal recourse we have as a city to stop this unfounded mandate that is unsafe, inmoral and fiscally irresponsible. https://t.co/8Jsmv9gCjX

— (((Fabian Bedne))) (@bedne) May 21, 2018

The bill is not slated to take effect until January 2019.