Tennessee’s public records watchdog is raising questions about a Republican-backed bill that would conceal the names of all law enforcement officers involved in immigration enforcement.
The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government put Senate Bill 1464 sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson at the top of its list for problematic bills this session.
“Changes need to be made in this bill. Secrecy can protect bad actors,” Deborah Fisher, executive director of the coalition, said in a press release. “If identities must be confidential to protect a particular officer or official, it should be for a limited amount of time and based on real and documented threats.”
Johnson, a Franklin Republican spearheading the state’s efforts to remove undocumented immigrants, told the Tennessee Lookout he’s willing to work with the Coalition for Open Government to avoid interfering with public records on law enforcement activities normally available to the public.
“But going out of your way to doxx or provide personal information about ICE officers with the intention of harassment or something for them and their families, that’s what we’re not going to tolerate,” Johnson said.