Senate Bill 6002 makes it a felony for local government officials to support "sanctuary" policies protecting immigrants in the country illegally.

A sweeping Tennessee immigration bill could make it unlawful for local officials to adopt sanctuary city policies and create temporary driver’s licenses for non-citizens. Senate Bill 6002/House Bill 6001 cleared both chambers of of the state legislature Thursday afternoon following a whirlwind special legislative session called by Gov.

The law, pushed by Gov. Bill Lee as an immigration enforcement measure, will also establish a new immigration czar and office in the state.

Immigration policy was a big point of contention on the House and Senate floor in tennessee thursdayThe current bill making its way through legislature would ma

Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessee’s free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools. State Sen. Todd Gardenhire is a conservative Tennessee Republican who credits his anti-abortion stance and support of gun rights for his recent reelection

Tennessee state senators have approved legislation that would punish officials who support sanctuary policies for immigrants. In addition, the bill that passed 26-7 Wednesday requires the Department of Public Safety to issue lawful permanent residents a temporary driver’s license instead of a standard license.