By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning and TGIF, Lookout readers.
We are back on the immigration beat today, with a couple of stories about how Republican lawmakers continue to push an anti-immigration agenda and challenges to it.
Sam Stockard reports two state leaders are challenging a line item in Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s budget that would allocate funds to an immigrant rights group. The group, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition offers a host of services, including English as a Second Language, ESL, classes, aiding with the naturalization process and advocating for legislation.
Meanwhile, Anita Wadhwani reports the ACLU has filed a suit challenging a new law that aims to prevent immigrants without legal status from either coming to Tennessee or staying in the state.
Gov. Bill Lee rolled out new “Welcome to Tennessee” signs at interstate gateways and welcome centers and that welcome obviously only applies to certain people.
Big weekend for entertainment in the state. If you are in Middle Tennessee, expect to be overrun by tourists coming to Bonnaroo, an annual music festival in Manchester, and CMA Festival, which takes over Downtown Nashville. And hey, if you’re going, have fun and be safe.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
Volunteers prepare to distribute food to immigrants trapped in their homes during an ice storm in Nashville at the headquarters of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition in January 2026. Republican leaders are questioning $730,000 set aside in Nashville’s budget for the organization as a possible violation of state anti-sanctuary rules. (Photo: John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
Two top Tennessee Republicans are objecting to a funding request by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, an immigrant rights group, saying it could violate the state’s anti-sanctuary city law.
NEWS AND NOTES
Trump picks acting AG Blanche to stay on full time | Ashley Murray
US Senate launches marathon session to pass nearly $70B for ICE, Border Patrol | Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa
FEATURED ON THE LOOKOUT
The Center for Effective Lawmaking rated House Majority Leader William Lamberth as the most effective Tennessee House member, based on the number of bills he introduces and passes. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a public policy think tank housed at Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia, released its rankings of the most effective Tennessee legislators and not surprisingly, House Majority Leader William Lamberth and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, both Republicans, topped the list.
FEATURED ON THE LOOKOUT
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally announcing the GOP “Immigration 2026” agenda in January. Part of the agenda included enactment of a state crime for immigrants here without legal status, which is now being challenged in federal court. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
The ACLU and National Immigration Law Center on Thursday filed a legal challenge to a new Tennessee law that makes it a crime for immigrants without legal status to enter or remain in the state.
ICYMI
Volunteer watchers detail harassment, surveillance and pushback from Memphis Safe Task Force | Anita Wadhwani and Cassandra Stephenson
COMMENTARY
Tennessee Realtors say funds from political action committee attacks communities, violates ethics | Rodney Tate, Jr. and Nathan Weinberg
Editor’s notebook: The silence of Tennessee’s ‘statesmen’ | J. Holly McCall
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