1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

This harmful legislation would incentivize local law enforcement to overstep their role and act as immigration agents through programs like 287(g), undermining public safety and trust in communities. As law enforcement leaders have warned, these programs damage relationships between police and immigrant communities, making everyone less safe. Immigrants strengthen our society and economy – pushing this xenophobic agenda does nothing to fix our immigration system while diverting over $20 million annually, plus unknown local costs, away from addressing real public safety needs. I urge you to reject SB 6002/HB 6001 and focus resources on policies that bring communities together, not tear them apart over discriminatory politics. Protecting all residents regardless of immigration status is the moral and pragmatic choice for keeping Tennessee safe and prosperous.