Senate Bill 6002 establishes a centralized immigration enforcement division within the Tennessee Department of Safety, headed by a chief immigration enforcement officer appointed by the governor. This division will oversee collaboration with federal immigration agencies, facilitate communication among state and local entities regarding immigration policy, and allocate resources, including grants from a newly created immigration enforcement grant fund. The bill also introduces penalties for officials who violate immigration enforcement laws, classifying such violations as Class E felonies, and mandates the removal of officials convicted of these violations.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws related to driver licenses and identification, stipulating that only U.S. citizens can obtain certain types of licenses, while lawful permanent residents may receive temporary licenses under specific conditions. It requires applicants for driver licenses to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and establishes a grant program to incentivize local governments to enforce federal immigration laws. The bill's provisions will take effect in stages, with some sections becoming law on July 1, 2025, and others on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-3-2015(a), 4-3-2015, 4-42-103, 4-42-104, 7-68-103, 7-68-104, 7-68-105(c)(1), 7-68-105, 2-7-112(c)(1), 2-7-112, 55-50-303(a)(9), 55-50-303, 55-50-321(c)(1)(C), 55-50-321, 55-50-321(i)(1), 55-50-331(g), 55-50-331, 55-50-102(56), 55-50-102