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Tennessee plans to send two waves of National Guard troops to the state’s borders this spring as Republican governors across the country continue to support Texas in its ongoing feud with federal authorities over immigration enforcement.
Gov. Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee met with National Guard troops deployed in Millington, Tennessee, on Saturday, weeks after the governor’s visit to the border, and spoke to Greg of Texas about the escalating and politicized border crisis. He promised to support Governor Abbott.
“Governor Abbott has made a decision to leverage Texas’ resources to secure our border and keep traffic out of our state,” Lee said. “But he asked governors to cooperate because this is a daunting task and each of us recognizes it.”
The Texas National Guard took control of the popular border crossing at Eagle Pass earlier this year, and Texas began blocking federal immigration and Border Patrol agents from entering the area. The U.S. Supreme Court later upheld longstanding precedent that the federal government, not states, controls border enforcement, ruling that states cannot block federal access.
Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, head of the Tennessee National Guard, did not comment specifically on where the Tennessee detachment would be sent. Last year, Tennessee sent 125 soldiers to McAllen, Texas.
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Officials announced Saturday that the new deployment will consist of about 50 soldiers and will be deployed through March, with another unit to fill in later in the spring.
The governor and first lady traveled to West Tennessee on Saturday to meet with deployed Guard members ahead of their deployment.
Lee said “the majority of Americans have come to realize” that the ongoing border crisis is “a real crisis for our country.” The governor on Saturday cited concerns about human trafficking and drug trafficking at unauthorized border crossings.
“We know what’s happening there and what’s going on has to change, and you’re part of that change,” Lee told the guards.
Americans believe immigration is the biggest issue facing the United States, according to a recent Gallup poll, marking the first time since 2018 that the issue topped the list. It is clear that President Joe Biden and former presidents have emerged as a defining theme of the 2024 presidential election. President Donald Trump stopped at the Texas border on Thursday.
Border visit:Violent visit between Joe Biden and Donald Trump puts border dispute in the spotlight
Republicans have accused Biden of reversing Trump-era policies that halted the flow of border crossings, but USA Today reports that after a brief dip in the number of migrants arriving at the U.S. border in 2017, Trump It is reported that under the administration, the number of cases more than doubled by 2019. 2020 was largely affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which led to widespread travel restrictions around the world.
Encounters at the border have increased under the Biden administration as pandemic restrictions have been lifted. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 1.7 million migrant encounters at the Southwest border in fiscal year 2021, 2.4 million in fiscal year 2022, and an additional 2.5 million in fiscal year 2023.
Meanwhile, Republicans last month watered down bipartisan U.S. Senate border security policies that included more conservative border policies that were initially supported by both Democrats and Republicans after President Trump incited opposition to the bill.
In Texas, Mr. Abbott characterized the border issue as a “violation” of the state’s legal application to assert its sovereignty over federal immigration authorities. Texas argued that the state has the right to override federal law when it sees fit. A federal judge ruled this week otherwise, temporarily blocking a Texas law expanding the state’s immigration enforcement powers. U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra said the surge in migrants does not constitute an “invasion” and Texas is not “participating in a war.”
Critics say Mr. Abbott and many other Republican leaders are weaponizing immigration rhetoric to stoke political fear. In Tennessee, Democrats argued that ongoing anti-immigrant rhetoric is promoting dangerously racist views. A recent white supremacist march in downtown Nashville centered on anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric, with masked marchers unfurling Nazi flags and chanting “all Mexicans. “Deport the White Man!” and “Save the White Man!”
more:Interfaith leaders condemn anti-immigrant rhetoric after neo-Nazi march in Nashville
Mr. Lee frequently cites civility as one of his guiding values, and while Tennessee has publicly supported Texas in its sovereignty battle with federal immigration authorities, Mr. Abbott’s They are not yet on board with the “invasion” rhetoric.
Last week, for example, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Scumetti joined with 21 other attorneys general to send letters to multiple federal agencies demanding answers about a report on 85,000 unaccompanied minors. , and joined forces with other Republican states to once again support Texas’ legal battles.
The governor acknowledged Saturday that there is a “very toxic political environment in this country,” but insisted border issues should take precedence over politics.
“Unfortunately, many of the real, practical issues in this country have become highly politicized,” Lee said.
Lee reiterated concerns about human and drug trafficking, as well as the deaths of migrants trying to cross the border.
“This is a humanitarian crisis and a heartbreaking event on every front,” Lee said.
The governor said that while unauthorized border crossings pose a “danger and threat” to the country, the U.S. should “give way” to immigrants who have “good reasons” to be here.
“We fully understand that America is a welcoming land of opportunity for those fleeing persecution and those in genuine need,” Lee said. “There is a right path in this country. We have a legal process for people to come to America. We have always been a country that has an immigration policy for those who follow it.”
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