NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The House Immigration Committee hearing at the State Capitol came to a dramatic halt after three women were forcibly removed for allegedly causing a disruption.
House representatives on the committee gathered Wednesday morning to discuss a HB6001, which later passed in a 15-6 vote.
According to the Tennessee General Assembly, part of the bill would create a Class E felony for officials who adopt sanctuary policies and subsequently require their removal from office upon conviction.
Additionally, the bill would provide each official who votes in the affirmative to adopt a sanctuary policy as also in violation.
Some lawmakers called the measure "unconstitutional" and "unamerican," adding that punishing lawmakers for voting a certain way sets a dangerous precedent.
"We might as well take the Constitution and rip it up, because that's what you're doing" said Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville). "You're creating a very dangerous precedent of attacking the speech and debate clause of the U.S. Constitution. We took an oath just a few weeks ago to vote against any legislation that is injuries to the people and erodes their rights and privileges. You are violating your oaths to both the U.S. Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution. It is shameful what is happening here today."
However, Rep. Monty Fritts (R- Kingston) said the bill was crafted after local enforcement expressed they would like more information about criminal activity committed by those in the state illegally.
"When I met with my sheriffs and police chiefs most of all them said they would like more information regarding criminal activity of illegals in our state," said Fritts. "So we crafted this in concert with the department of safety and Commissioner Long himself as a matter of fact."
At some point, debate among the committee came to a halt after some lawmakers called out women in the audience for snapping their fingers.
Several troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) are later seen speaking with women, who are seated on the floor, before picking them up one by one and carrying them out of the room.
News 2 spoke with one of the women who was carried out of the hearing who claimed she felt "targeted."
"I specifically want to be in there because I want to look into their eyes as they make this vote," said Ashley Warbington, one of the women carried out of the hearing. "It feels that because I testified that I was targeted. He picked three people out of a hat. Why did he pick the one that testified against this bill? I was sitting on the first row, but I didn't speak. I didn't say anything."
A spokesperson told News 2 that "there were no arrests" made following the incident, adding that the women were later allowed reentry.
No additional details were immediately released.