Image Credit: ICE.gov & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
According to Tennessee’s Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIED), 63 of 95 Tennessee counties are now participating in the federal 287(g) program through one of its three different models ahead of the mandatory January 1, 2027, statewide implementation date.
Since the law’s passage at the end of the 2026 legislative session, 23 more sheriff’s departments have entered the partnership with ICE along with six city police departments. While the law, which took effect July 1, 2026, only requires sheriff’s departments to sign agreements or risk having state funds withheld, several cities have voluntarily enrolled as both state and federal incentives attract law enforcement departments to collaborate with ICE in the immigration process.
And records from several Middle Tennessee sheriff’s offices show an uptick in jail activity over the past couple weeks under the program since July 1. Among the agencies that responded to News 2’s inquiry, Sumner County reported serving 20 immigration detainers, Robertson County reported serving five immigration detainers, and Dickson County said it had not served any new detainers or warrants in that time frame.
“I think the biggest takeaway from this is that we’ve got more counties that are actually participating in the process,” said State Representative Johnny Garrett, who sponsored the legislation in the House.
Between sheriff’s offices, police departments, and constables, approximately 94 Tennessee local law enforcement agencies currently have agreements with ICE, most created in the last 12 months, though 32 counties have not yet entered the agreements, and some officials are bristling at the mandate.
“I do not feel Sheriff’s Offices of this state should be compelled to enter into any agreement with the Federal Government and also think that it is inappropriate to punish a Sheriff’s Office for not wanting to enter into such an agreement,” Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray told The Tennessean.
Gray also noted that Stewart County had already been planning to enter a 287(g) partnership before the new law, which has been formalized since the law passed, and does not anticipate the agreement will “put a burden on us or drain our resources at this point.”
Davidson County remains one of the 32 counties still not enrolled in 287(g), with Sheriff Daron Hall maintaining his office is exempt from the law’s requirement as it only pertains to POST-certified sheriffs. Since Hall helps operate the county jails but does not have policing authority, his office is not required to be POST certified and will therefore be exempt, according to the Metro Legal Department.
Rep. Garrett contends Nashville could still be at risk of losing funds if the Davidson County Sheriff does not join 287(g) by the January deadline, but Metro Legal Director Wally Dietz responded, “The law requires sheriffs who are POST certified to enter into 287(g) agreements. Sheriffs who handle law enforcement duties are POST certified. The position of Davidson County Sheriff does not handle law enforcement duties, and he is not POST certified. Mr. Garrett wrote the law. He should try to understand it before he makes baseless statements about Metro losing state funding.”
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Thanx. Woulda been no need for the mandate if all SDs had’ve been doing their jobs properly.