(a) There is created within the department of safety the centralized immigration enforcement division.
(b) The chief executive of the division is the chief immigration enforcement officer, to be appointed by the governor, whose duties include:(1) Overseeing state and local collaboration with federal immigration agencies;(2) Facilitating efficient communication between state, local, and federal agencies with respect to immigration policy and enforcement;(3) Allocating resources, including the approval and distribution of grants from the immigration enforcement grant fund created pursuant to § 7-68-106;(4) Developing strategic immigration enforcement plans;(5) Coordinating participation in federal immigration programs, including the 287(g) program pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1357(g));(6) Ensuring state and local compliance with federal and state immigration laws;(7) Reporting annually to the governor and general assembly on immigration-related progress and challenges. Such report is due not later than January 31, 2026, and each January 31 thereafter; and(8) Coordinating the direction of state funding to help state and local law enforcement implement federal immigration law.
(1) Overseeing state and local collaboration with federal immigration agencies;
(2) Facilitating efficient communication between state, local, and federal agencies with respect to immigration policy and enforcement;
(3) Allocating resources, including the approval and distribution of grants from the immigration enforcement grant fund created pursuant to § 7-68-106;
(4) Developing strategic immigration enforcement plans;
(5) Coordinating participation in federal immigration programs, including the 287(g) program pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1357(g));
(6) Ensuring state and local compliance with federal and state immigration laws;
(7) Reporting annually to the governor and general assembly on immigration-related progress and challenges. Such report is due not later than January 31, 2026, and each January 31 thereafter; and
(8) Coordinating the direction of state funding to help state and local law enforcement implement federal immigration law.
(c) The commissioner of safety may hire staff within the resources allocated to the department of safety and may establish their duties and responsibilities.
(d) The department may maintain any information or records collected or received by the division or chief immigration enforcement officer confidentially, including, but not limited to, sensitive or confidential information collected or received from a federal, local, or state department or agency.
(e) (1) The centralized immigration enforcement division within the department of safety, must provide a report by July 1, 2026, to the chief clerk of each house of the general assembly and the legislative librarian regarding illegal alien criminal activity in this state. The report must include an assessment of any criminal enterprises occurring in this state that are associated with illegal aliens. The report must also include an analysis of any threats posed by illegal aliens within this state.(2) The centralized immigration enforcement division may utilize information and assistance from the Tennessee bureau of investigation, but shall not include any information in the report that could compromise ongoing investigations, criminal prosecutions, or any other information that is confidential under state or federal law. The centralized immigration enforcement division must share the report with law enforcement agencies within the state to ensure an integrated approach to addressing any unlawful activities in which illegal aliens are engaged.
(1) The centralized immigration enforcement division within the department of safety, must provide a report by July 1, 2026, to the chief clerk of each house of the general assembly and the legislative librarian regarding illegal alien criminal activity in this state. The report must include an assessment of any criminal enterprises occurring in this state that are associated with illegal aliens. The report must also include an analysis of any threats posed by illegal aliens within this state.
(2) The centralized immigration enforcement division may utilize information and assistance from the Tennessee bureau of investigation, but shall not include any information in the report that could compromise ongoing investigations, criminal prosecutions, or any other information that is confidential under state or federal law. The centralized immigration enforcement division must share the report with law enforcement agencies within the state to ensure an integrated approach to addressing any unlawful activities in which illegal aliens are engaged.