Senate Bill 2223, also known as House Bill 2219, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to address immigration enforcement by local law enforcement agencies. The bill mandates that by January 1, 2027, sheriffs in each county must enter into an agreement under a federal 287(g) program for the enforcement of federal immigration law, with specific models outlined for compliance. The bill also stipulates that such agreements do not require approval from local governing bodies and introduces penalties for non-compliance, including the potential withholding of state funds. Additionally, it allows sheriffs to temporarily suspend compliance in emergencies that threaten public safety, provided they notify relevant authorities.

The bill further establishes a new subsection regarding the temporary detention of individuals (referred to as "detainees") who are to be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. This includes guidelines for the detention policy, documentation requirements, and annual reviews. Notably, the bill includes a provision that allows law enforcement agencies other than sheriff's departments to negotiate similar agreements with federal officials, ensuring that all officers are trained in accordance with federal law. The provisions of this bill are set to terminate on February 1, 2029, at which point previous laws will be reinstated.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 7-68-104(d), 7-68-104
Amended with HA1032, HA1222 -- 04/20/2026: 7-68-104(d), 7-68-104, 7-68-105(b), 7-68-105, 41-7-106