Tennessee’s Republican governor said Monday he will allow a bill to become law that would ban local governments in his state from blocking cooperation with federal immigration officers.
Republican Gov. Bill Haslam told reporters he will allow a bill that passed the state legislature last month to become law, but he is stopping short of signing it.
Tennessee law dictates that if a bill has not been signed or vetoed after its passage, it automatically becomes law 10 days after it is submitted to the governor. Lawmakers submitted it to Haslam on May 10, and he sent it back May 21, according to the Tennessee General Assembly website.
Under the new law, all localities within the Volunteer State will be banned from adopting policies that prohibit law enforcement officers from honoring detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The bill was approved just before the General Assembly adjourned April 25.