Tennessee’s Republican leadership is cementing its reputation as one of the most aggressive states in supporting federal immigration enforcement. A sweeping new law took effect July 1, that, coupled with a high‑profile visit from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on July 18, signaled a coordinated push to bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state.
The centerpiece of the legislature’s effort is SB 6002/HB 6001, a package that creates a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division that will work directly with the Department of Homeland Security.
Headed by governor‑appointed Ryan Hubbard, the division is tasked with direct collaboration with ICE amidst the growing deportation operations. Local law enforcement agencies are now being incentivized to join federal 287(g) and warrant service agreements through state‑funded grants covering training, equipment, and operational costs. The law also imposes sharp penalties on sanctuary‑style policies; any public official who adopts or votes for such measures can now face felony charges, fines, and even removal from office.
Other provisions include the issuance of visually distinct driver’s licenses for non‑citizens, which cannot be used for voting. Republican sponsors describe the measure as a necessary response to what they see as local inaction on illegal immigration. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee is currently suing the state, arguing that the new law violates local elected officials’ First Amendment right to free speech.
Just weeks after the law’s enactment, Kristi Noem traveled to Nashville, using the visit to demonstrate the federal‑state alignment on immigration enforcement. At a press conference held at ICE’s Nashville field office, Noem highlighted ongoing efforts to target what she described as “the worst of the worst”—violent offenders who entered the country illegally. She announced the deployment of additional ICE agents and a larger budget to back enforcement across Tennessee.
This in large part is due to the passing of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," increasing ICE's budget from $8.7 billion to $27.7 billion.
Noem didn’t shy away from controversy during her visit. During the press conference, she rebuked Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, accusing him of undermining federal immigration efforts after issuing an executive order requiring all Metro departments to report any interactions with federal immigration authorities, including ICE and DHS.
O’Connell, who has largely avoided further public fights over immigration, later amended the order following intense backlash. Noem also escalated her criticism by urging Representative Andy Ogles (R) to investigate Belmont University for allegedly obstructing law enforcement by enrolling undocumented students—a move that drew swift pushback from local leaders, who warned that such rhetoric erodes trust between immigrant communities and authorities.
Reporters also pressed Noem on concerns about racial profiling, given that recent ICE raids in Tennessee have disproportionately targeted Latino neighborhoods. Noem pushed back at the suggestion, calling the claims “absolutely false” and warning against what she described as misinformation about federal agents’ conduct.
Together, Tennessee’s new legislation and Noem’s high‑profile visit signal a broader strategy—melding state initiatives with federal power to foster an uncompromising approach to immigration enforcement. Supporters hail the effort as a necessary restoration of law and order, while critics warn it risks eroding community trust and provoking constitutional challenges. What’s clear is that Tennessee has firmly staked its claim in the national debate over immigration.
