Tennessee HB2219 Mandating All 95 County Sheriffs Join 287(g) ICE Program Transmitted to Governor Lee

Tennessee HB2219/SB2223 — which would require all 95 county sheriffs to enroll in the federal 287(g) program by January 1, 2027 or risk losing state funding — was enrolled April 29, 2026 and transmitted to Governor Bill Lee on May 7, 2026. As of May 9-11, 2026, Governor Lee has not yet signed or vetoed the bill; signature is expected given Lee’s alignment with the legislation’s sponsors (Sen. Jack Johnson, Rep. Johnny Garrett).

The bill represents a structural escalation of state-level ICE integration. When the Tennessee legislative session began in early 2026, only two county sheriff’s offices voluntarily participated in 287(g); the legislature then passed an incentive program boosting participation to 70 agencies. HB2219 eliminates the voluntary option entirely, making local ICE enforcement legally mandatory statewide and funding-contingent. The fiscal note puts first-year cost at $273,600 rising to $248,600 annually — costs covered by required 287(g) training and overtime reimbursements from the federal government. If signed, Tennessee becomes the first state to mandate 287(g) participation for every county law enforcement agency, potentially serving as a template for other Republican-controlled states. Status as of May 11: pending signature — no decision announced.