Tennessee House Speaker calls on Nashville mayor to follow 'anti-Sanctuary city' law
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) is calling on Nashville Mayor David Briley to follow Tennessee's law when it comes to Sanctuary cities.
Last week, Briley issued an executive order calling out HB2315, a Tennessee law that prohibits local and state governmental entities from adopting 'Sanctuary City' policies. He wants Davidson County to challenge the law in court.
The law become effective on Jan. 1 of this year.
Sexton is calling Briley's executive order a political move ahead of Nashville's Mayoral election.
“In lieu of the federal government following the constitution and enforcing immigration laws pertaining to our nation’s southern border, Tennessee is taking the lead to protect the well-being and safety of our citizens,” said Speaker Sexton. “Mayor Briley’s dangerous executive order is a last minute political ploy and a slap in the face to all law abiding citizens and to our local law enforcement agencies. We are a representative republic of law and order, and no city or local mayor has the power to circumvent state or federal law.”
Sexton says he and his Republican colleagues are "committed to enforcing immigration policies."
Briley's office says his executive order does not violate state law and it will continue to fight for a repeal of the law:
Mayor Briley’s Executive Order #11 does not violate State law. It’s clear from Speaker Sexton’s comments about it that he knows this and has therefore resorted to using scare tactics and veiled threats in an attempt to get the order rescinded. That is not going to happen.
HB2315 is bad for Nashville and it should be repealed. Mayor Briley’s Executive Order will make Nashville safer for all residents while allowing us to lawfully track immigration-related activity in our city. This is the right thing to do for everyone who lives here.
FOX 17 News has reached out to mayoral candidate John Cooper for comment. This story will be updated.
