Image: Rep. William Lamberth argues for passage of HB6001 on the House floor on 1.30.25 Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
After a condensed four-day special session the Tennessee legislature hurriedly passed an omnibus bill tackling illegal immigration, and now potential lawsuits are on the horizon for the new law as several liberal organizations and lawmakers prepare to sue the state.
Though certain organizations are criticizing the portion of the bill that allows local law enforcement offices to work in tandem with federal agencies to implement immigration enforcement operations, the threatened lawsuits mainly appear to take issue with the provision which implements a Class E felony for any elected official who votes in favor of or supports sanctuary policies.
The felony could carry up to six years of prison time and a $3,000 fine and would also allow for the removal of that official from office should they be convicted.
On January 30, the same day the bill was passed, the ACLU of Tennessee critiqued the bill, claiming “significant constitutional concerns” and announced that a lawsuit would be forthcoming.
Legal Director Stella Yarbrough stated, “This unprecedented, unconstitutional legislation will inflict unimaginable harm on people who have immigrated to Tennessee seeking freedom and a better life and criminalize any local officials who vote in support of ‘sanctuary policies.’ Threatening officials with felony charges and criminal prosecution based solely on how they vote raises significant constitutional concerns. This authoritarian legislation is incompatible with the bedrock American values of democracy and the rule of law, and we have no choice but to challenge it in court. Any elected official concerned with how this legislation will impact them should contact the ACLU of Tennessee.”
Lawmakers in Nashville are also reportedly mulling a suit, as members of the Metro Nashville Council’s Immigrant Caucus issued a brisk warning of, “see you in court” over the bill and Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda stated that they are, “exploring all our legal options,” when asked if they will join the ACLU in their legal actions, as relayed by The Tennessee Lookout.
News Channel 5 also reported that Vice Chair Councilwoman Zulfat Suara claims the law is unconstitutional and could instill fear in elected officials.
“If they get away with this, then what’s next? It could be our votes on anything else in the future. It could be women’s rights. It could be anything because this is a slippery slope, and if you let them do it one time, they’ll continue to do it,” she said.
Nashville’s Law Director Wally Dietz agrees with the sentiments of the caucus and is now working in collaboration with the Council and other organizations to explore a potential lawsuit.
He stated, “It’d be an understatement to say that we have grave concerns about the constitutionality of those provisions. This is a gross escalation by criminalizing officials and their votes—it is unprecedented.”
Governor Bill Lee defended all the bills that passed through his special session, according to The Tennessee Lookout, claiming, “I think this General Assembly passes legislation that they believe is constitutional, so, yeah, the bills pass because the General Assembly believes it’s constitutional,” although it does seem that many bills passed by Tennessee’s legislature end up in court, like the Protect Tennessee Minors Act and the law which prohibits gender affirming care for minors.
If suits are filed, interesting questions will be raised as to how they stand against the already existing sanctuary policy bans and the backwards concept that an elected official could vote for or support a measure or policy that is already illegal.
A city cannot vote to make drunk driving legal, and this concept is similar in the sense that sanctuary policies are already illegal, not just across the state, but could also be interpreted as federally illegal as they obstruct the federal government’s constitutional jurisdiction over immigration enforcement.
But it is without doubt Democrats and pro-illegal immigrant organizations will continue to do what they can to challenge the bill’s implementation.
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
Anyone defying the president’s order should be arrested and charged with the felony charge of aiding the enemy.