SB 1971 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Immigration - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Private Workplace Due Process and Warrant Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38; Title 50; Title 62 and Title 66.

SB 1971 requires federal immigration officers to obtain a judicial warrant before entering private business locations in Tennessee, such as offices or factories not open to the public. It prohibits state and local agencies from assisting with immigration enforcement without a warrant, including sharing employee records or allowing access to non-public areas. Business owners and employees cannot be penalized for refusing entry without a warrant, and evidence gathered unlawfully is inadmissible in state courts. The law specifically applies to private workplace areas, leaving federal enforcement with valid warrants unaffected.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
5
Committee
7
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Raumesh Akbari
Raumesh Akbari
DDemocratic
TN
29