Several Tennessee sheriff’s offices have joined ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to assist with immigration enforcement. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office was the first in Tennessee to adopt the Task Force Model on June 24, enabling officers to enforce limited immigration authority during routine duties, such as identifying undocumented individuals at DUI checkpoints.

Other models include the Jail Enforcement Model, for processing removable aliens in custody, and the Warrant Service Officer Program, for executing administrative warrants. Participating agencies include Bradley, Cumberland, Giles, Grainger, Greene, Hamilton, Knox, Macon, Morgan, Putnam, Sullivan, and Sumner County Sheriff’s Offices, along with the Tennessee Department of Corrections and Tennessee Highway Patrol.

A new Tennessee law, effective July 1, 2025, criminalizes obstructing immigration enforcement and incentivizes cooperation through grants. Another bill, signed in February, created a centralized immigration enforcement division to work with the Department of Homeland Security.