Tennessee law enforcement could be fined if they don’t report undocumented immigrants to federal officials. It is part of a newly filed bill that would also exempt undocumented school children from being reported.

Ahead of the Tennessee legislative session next month, a state lawmaker wants to hold law enforcement accountable to ensure they follow the law.

In the bill filed by State Sen. Todd Gardenhire, law enforcement would be fined no more than $1,000 if officers don’t report undocumented immigrants to federal officials.

“There could be circumstances where it’s not appropriate to fine them, but I leave that up to an elected judge to do it,” said Sen. Gardenhire.

He said he is creating accountability for the bill passed last year requiring law enforcement to report migrants.

“There were no consequences to either doing it or not doing it,” he said.

Previously, Metro Police said they wouldn’t have to enforce the law. They sent us this statement in part:

“Immigration enforcement remains solely a function of federal law enforcement, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has no authority to investigate or enforce immigration laws. We expect to have no role in that activity,” they said in a statement.

The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office told us undocumented immigrants are currently identified through fingerprints if they are in the ICE database.

Sen. Gardenhire said law enforcement has to comply because it’s the law.

“They need to learn how to read,” he said in response to Metro Police and the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office’s current practices.

Scottie DeLashmit, president of the Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police, was asked over the phone how he felt about the bill.

“I think it has good intentions. I am not pleased it is putting law enforcement officers in the middle,” said DeLashmit.

He said it would unfairly place a burden on law enforcement.

“Our officers don’t make enough money, especially in the rural communities as it is now,” he said.

He believes the majority of law enforcement agencies in Tennessee already report undocumented immigrants.

“My fear is the agencies that aren’t reporting are going to tell the officers not to report, and that puts the officers in a predicament,” said DeLashmit.

The bill does not require SROs to report undocumented children who are in school from K-12 or officers to report someone who is a victim or witness to a crime.

The bill does not have a house sponsor yet.