Chairs are set up on War Memorial Plaza near the Tennessee State Capitol Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn., where preparations have been made for the inauguration of Tennessee Gov.-elect Bill Lee on Saturday. Lee’s inauguration is being moved indoors to the War Memorial Auditorium because of forecasts for weekend rain and thunderstorms. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gov.-elect Bill Lee says he will direct his legal team to investigate whether Tennessee’s most populated county is following a new law that prohibits local authorities from requiring a warrant or probable cause before complying with federal immigration detainers.
Earlier this month, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said it wouldn’t detain anyone being released from jail without a warrant or probable cause because the county attorney advised that the new law doesn’t apply to them. But it will keep notifying federal authorities when noncitizens are booked.
The announcement prompted top Tennessee Republicans to declare the county wasn’t following the law, including House Speaker Glen Casada and Senate Speaker Randy McNally. However, Lee is going a step further by assigning his legal counsel to look into the matter.
Lee talked to The Associated Press about his decision and other top issues as he prepares to be sworn in Saturday. The Franklin-based Republican businessman won the top seat in November as a political newcomer against Democratic former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
“Obviously, we have to look at the legalities of that particular law, but if it does allow for sanctuary cities, then it would be breaking the law,” Lee said. “We’ll certainly have (legal) look at it so that we can understand it.”