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.
