Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
HB0010 sponsored by Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92) which would have required that any illegal aliens in custody not remitted to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) be transported to sanctuary cities outside the state failed in the House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee on Tuesday, March 18.
During the meeting, Rep. Warner introduced the legislation before engaging in discussion. “We need to start standing behind President Trump and do something about illegal immigration. This bill seeks to remedy a problem in this state, and it’s a simple bill that fixes that problem. The question to you, members, is are we going to stand with our President Donald J. Trump and take care of this problem in Tennessee or are we going to turn our back on him?” he queried.
Representative John Crawford then chastised Warner saying, “The committee asks the questions, not the sponsor.”
Testimony was heard from the Department of Safety who opposed the bill, and one woman in the gallery was seen on the meeting’s recording apparently giving Rep. Warner the middle finger as he rebutted the department’s testimony.
One citizen who spoke against the bill called it “cruel and unusual punishment” and said the ICE system is “flawed”. He believes the bill could lead to “trafficking immigrants” and is a waste of money on, “spiteful acts against immigrants and people who look like me.”
A second speaker in opposition believes the legislation is about “wielding cruelty as a policy tool,” and urged the committee to “reject this bill and choose humanity over political theater.”
The vote was 3-0 against with one member, Republican Rep. Dennis Powers, marking himself as Present Not Voting (PNV). Members voting against were Democrats Jesse Chism and Larry Miller and Republican John Crawford.
Republican members Rick Eldridge and Jeff Burkhart were present according to the committee’s roll call record and participated in the discussion but did not vote at all on the bill despite voting on other items.
In speaking to The Tennessee Conservative about the loss, Rep. Warner said it was, “a sad day for Tennesseans who stand up and stand strong against illegal immigration. Any conservative bills up here this time, they’re trying to kill. Tennesseans, if you want to know why Donald Trump called Governor Bill Lee a RINO, watch the committee meeting today. Watch the Department of Safety come in and pretty much say we do not have a record of how many illegals have been arrested and turned back out on the streets in Tennessee. It’s very disturbing that the Department of Safety won’t put Tennesseans first. We have a governor who will not stand up to illegal immigration and House leadership wants to kill bills like this that are good bills. Sad.”
Fellow conservative organization Tennessee Stands also took to social media to express frustration and disappointment with Republican leadership over the legislation’s failure. An X post from the group reads, “Republicans just killed HB 10 by Rep Todd Warner to send illegals to sanctuary cities and out of our state while Democrats celebrated in the crowd by snapping fingers. GOP leadership hates conservatives. The more you pay attention, the more you know.”
Kelly Jackson of TruthWire News commented on the seemingly retaliatory nature of GOP leadership, possibly in response to Warner’s vocal opposition to Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher bill passed through a special session earlier this year, which also resulted in Warner being removed from the House Education Administration Committee and K-12 Education Subcommittee after serving on both the last four years.
“Just so everyone knows, the only reason GOP leadership killed this great immigration bill that would have protected Tennesseans is because @TNGOP wanted to teach Todd Warner a lesson. Don’t fall in line, and we will kill all of your bills, even if they are good for Tennessee, and what your constituents wanted,” she wrote.
It appears the majority of the legislature is perfectly happy to continue in its long history of passing half-hearted immigration measures with no teeth or consequences while killing good legislation that would protect Tennesseans and align with the will of voters both in the state and across the nation.
If you would like to ask the members of the House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee why they voted against legislation aimed at protecting Tennesseans or refused to vote at all, you can find their contact information below:
Rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeff.burkhart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov
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.
2 Responses
Thanx! Emailed them, “Your petty “action” on this good bill is disgusting and is an egregious affront to those damaged and those who will be by your beloved illegals.” and posted same to X.
I won’t be sorry to see Rep. Crawford leave the TN Assembly in 2026!!! They all have obviously been given orders to kill every bill that Rep. Warner sponsors. This MUST stop and why aren’t Tennessean outraged as to what has taken place in our Assembly this year. Threats, promises, bullying to do the will of the Governor instead of the will of the people. We need to make cleaning out the garbage (and there is a lot of it) from our Assembly in 2026. Time for the GOOD brave folks in Tennessee to step up.