Tennessee § 7-68-103 - Adoption of sanctuary policy prohibited.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-68-103 — Adoption of sanctuary policy prohibited., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 7-68-103. Adoption of sanctuary policy prohibited.
No local governmental entity or official shall adopt or enact a sanctuary policy. A local governmental entity that adopts or enacts a sanctuary policy is ineligible to enter into any grant contract with the department of economic and community development until the sanctuary policy is repealed, rescinded, or otherwise no longer in effect. Acts 2009, ch. 447, § 1; 2018, ch. 973, § 3. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2018, ch. 973, § 6 provided that (a) the act, which amended this section, shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons, and respecting the privileges and immunities of United States citizens. (b) In complying with the requirements of this act, no law enforcement officer shall consider an individual's race, color, or national origin, except to the extent permitted by the United States or Tennessee constitution, and federal law. Amendments. The 2018 amendment rewrote the section which read:“(a) A local governmental entity or official shall not adopt any ordinance or written policy that expressly prohibits a local governmental entity, official or employee from complying with applicable federal law pertaining to persons who reside within the state illegally.“(b) An official shall not materially interfere with the ability of a local governmental entity, official or employee of a municipality or a county to comply with applicable federal law pertaining to persons who reside within the state illegally.” Effective Dates. Acts 2018, ch. 973, § 7. January 1, 2019.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 7-68-103
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-68-103 cover?
Section 7-68-103 ("Adoption of sanctuary policy prohibited.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 7-68-103?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-68-103" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 7-68-103 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.