Image Credit: Daron Hall Nashville Sheriff / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
With a bill requiring participation by every Tennessee sheriff’s department in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program set to become law soon, the Davidson County Sheriff is claiming the legislation will not apply to his office as it functions uniquely under state statute.
SB2223 stipulates that sheriffs must participate in the 287(g) program under one of its thee models and provides a statewide procedure for handling detainees awaiting transfer to federal custody. Agencies that to not enter into the agreement could have state funds withheld.
But Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall says he has received guidance from the Metro Legal department that the legislation will not apply to his jurisdiction as it only pertains to sheriffs certified by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).
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 from the legislation according to the legal team.
Hall previously called the legislation “all politics,” and said, “Let’s be candid. It’s all politics for the media, for advocates, for politicians.”
He also stated that should the legal director tell him the department would be required to enroll in the program that he would comply under the Warrant Services prong, but that it wouldn’t change much in the way his office already operates under already-existing state law.
“Right now, if you are booked in jail and you are illegal, your prints will go to ICE and they will check and then send us a detainer,” Sheriff Hall said. And the sheriff reiterated that he has already been cooperating with ICE for the last 10 years under state law, noting that over the last year, 632 individuals arrested on local criminal charges were transferred into ICE custody.
SB2223 is still awaiting signature by Gov. Lee to become official Tennessee law.
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.
