Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced his support for President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport millions of immigrants when he assumes office in January 2025. To carry out this plan, Governor Lee plans to utilize state personnel, including National Guard troops and highway patrol officers.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the Republican governor expressed his commitment to supporting President Trump’s efforts to secure the nation’s borders and ensure the safety of communities. He emphasized the importance of making preparations and having key state agencies ready to take action from day one.
The governor’s announcement signifies his readiness to employ Tennessee personnel, including troops and state officers, in support of President Trump’s nationwide initiative to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
Lee sent the message after the Republican Governors Association released a statement declaring their support for Trump’s dedication to addressing the issue of illegal immigration and deporting individuals who pose a threat to our communities and national security.
According to the American Immigration Council, deporting approximately 11 million individuals without permanent legal status and an additional 2.3 million individuals who crossed the U.S. southern border between January 2023 and April 2024 would result in an estimated cost of $315 billion.
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition expressed strong disapproval of Lee’s pledge, asserting that it would have detrimental effects on both families and the local economy. The group highlighted that Lee, along with 25 other Republican governors, endorsed a letter vowing to employ all available resources, including state law enforcement and the National Guard.
Business leaders, economists, faith leaders, and legal experts have all voiced their concerns about the immigrant rights group’s proposed plan, labeling it as “disastrous.”
According to the coalition, immigrants contribute to the richness of our state and the growth of our communities, whether they are escaping danger or searching for new opportunities. They argue that detaining families not only has moral implications but also has negative economic consequences. It hampers businesses and agriculture, causing a slowdown in production. Moreover, the coalition believes that the resources used for mass deportations could be better utilized to provide housing, healthcare, and education for working families in Tennessee.
However, important Republican lawmakers are supporting the governor.
According to the Tennessee Lookout, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally expressed his stance on the illegal immigration crisis under the Biden administration. He stated that the crisis has been a problem for many years and has escalated significantly. He emphasized that the voters in Tennessee and across the nation have made it evident that they want a resolution to this issue, and President Trump is dedicated to addressing it. Lt. Gov. McNally believes that deploying the National Guard to secure the border and aid in deportations is the right course of action. Furthermore, he stated that he is confident that the legislature would support and approve such an effort.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton stated in an interview with the Lookout this week that he believes it is the responsibility of governors to work alongside the federal government in making decisions. Additionally, he expressed his support for the removal of certain immigrants.
In the words of Sexton, it is crucial to prioritize the removal of undocumented individuals who have committed crimes within our country. Regardless of their location, it is imperative to ensure their expulsion. Sexton further emphasizes that the current size of ICE may not be sufficient to handle the influx of criminals who have crossed the border.
Trump has not always made a clear distinction between immigrants who have been charged with crimes since coming to America and other immigrants who form a significant part of the country’s workforce, as Sexton pointed out.
According to Tom Homan, Trump’s choice for “border czar,” the president-elect has emphasized his intention to prioritize the deportation of dangerous gang members among immigrants, and has also emphasized that anyone residing in the country illegally should not feel at ease.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, despite the Republican Governors Association’s accusation that President Joe Biden has not effectively secured the border, the Biden Administration is actually on course to deport a similar number of individuals as the Trump Administration. From the beginning of fiscal year 2021 through February 2024, the Biden Administration is projected to remove around 1.1 million people, which would match the 1.5 million deportations carried out during Trump’s four-year tenure from 2016 to 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic era, the Biden Administration carried out a significant number of migrant expulsions. According to the report, a total of 3 million expulsions were undertaken from March 2020 to May 2023, resulting in almost 4.4 million repatriations.
According to an article from migrationpolicy.org, the Biden administration has increased deportations and has removed or returned 775,000 migrants since the COVID-19 ban on migration ended. This is the highest number of deportations since 2010.
Furthermore, Trump has discussed the possibility of utilizing federal troops for deportation purposes, and Republican governors are demonstrating a readiness to involve state troops and officers in these efforts.
The immigrant rights coalition expressed concern over the governor’s statement, stating that it could potentially empower local law enforcement and the National Guard to exceed their authority and forcibly detain community members. They believe that this sets a dangerous precedent for all residents of Tennessee.
Tennesseans should question Governor Lee and the Republican supermajority about their failure to address the issue of illegal immigration if it is truly as significant as Governor Lee now asserts and if the state possesses the necessary legal authority to take action.
“I believe that we need to prioritize the well-being and safety of our citizens above all else,” said Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville.
The coalition strongly criticizes the governor, stating that he is tarnishing our state and causing harm. They emphasize their readiness to protect and defend our communities.
Democratic state Representative John Ray Clemmons criticized the governor for using “bigoted talking points,” which he believes is creating a hostile environment for his constituents. He invited the governor to visit his district in South Nashville to witness the thriving local businesses and children studying in the schools there.
Clemmons admitted that it is essential to eliminate dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists who are residing in the country illegally. He further emphasized that the legislature has already allocated a substantial amount of funds to various departments involved in maintaining homeland security. Specifically, $161 million has been approved for the Department of Homeland Security, $110 million for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and $18 million for the Military Department, all of which will be utilized for relevant purposes.
Representative Clemmons criticized Governor Lee and the Republican supermajority for their lack of action on illegal immigration in Tennessee. He questioned why, if illegal immigration is truly a significant issue in the state and they have the power to address it, they have not taken stronger measures to combat it.
Clemmons, however, expressed his belief that the state may face complicated legal questions regarding its authority and capacity to enforce federal immigration policies.