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Nashville Council Members Sue over Immigration Law Criminalizing Sanctuary City Votes
- Seven Metro Nashville Council members filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Tennessee lawmakers challenging a new immigration law effective July 1, 2025.
- In February 2025, Governor Bill Lee approved legislation that makes it a class E felony for local officials to support sanctuary policies, carrying penalties of up to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
- Plaintiffs contend that the statute unlawfully restricts elected officials by penalizing their discussions, debates, and votes on immigration measures related to sanctuary policies, thereby infringing on their constitutional freedom of speech.
- Council member Delisha Porterfield described the law as a unique and troubling attempt to punish legislative speech, while ACLU Director Stella Yarborough condemned it as a severe and unconstitutional assault on the democratic process.
- The lawsuit could set important legal precedents on state overreach and influence the ability of local officials to govern sanctuary-related immigration policies.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Lawsuit challenges state law that criminalizes elected officials who vote for sanctuary city policies
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven Metro Council members challenging a new state law that makes it a felony for elected officials to vote in favor of sanctuary city policies. The complaint argues that the bill, which passed during the special legislative session in January, violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Speech and Debate Clause, which gives legis…
Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado PoliticsDHS rebukes ‘racial profiling’ allegations following lawsuit
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday denied allegations of “racial profiling” over its policy to enlist local law enforcement to help with immigration enforcement. “Allegations that 287(g) agreements with local law enforcement encourage ‘racial profiling’ are disgusting and categorically…
Nashville council members sue state over law criminalizing a vote for sanctuary policies | Chattanooga Times Free Press
Seven Metro Nashville Council members are suing over a state law that imposes felony charges -- including terms of up to six years in prison -- on local elected officials who vote in favor of immigration policies deemed to be "sanctuary policies."
News Facts Network - ACLU Sues Tennessee Over Law Criminalizing Votes for Sanctuary Policies
The ACLU of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against a new Tennessee law that makes it a felony for elected officials to vote for sanctuary policies protecting undocumented immigrants. Filed in Davidson County Chancery Court, the suit argues the law violates the First Amendment rights of local leaders. The statute imposes a Class E felony—punishable…
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