Published April 9, 2021
Photo Credit: The Tennessee Conservative / Biden image by Gage Skidmore / CC
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
An anonymous tip called in to The Tennessee Conservative News Line claimed that migrant children from Joe Biden’s border crisis were being housed at 1914 Vance Avenue, an old Tennessee Temple Dormitory in Chattanooga, TN.
According to the source, 6-10 adolescents have been transported in unmarked vans for medical care and other services every day for 14 days or longer – meaning 60 to 140 children may or may not be in protective custody. When Terrance Ware, Director of Operations for The Baptiste Group, was asked in person at the shelter if the building housed migrant children from the border crisis, he declined to comment.
Black tarps have been erected around the perimeter of the building, preventing the public from seeing what is taking place on the grounds.
Across the nation, many taxpayers and elected officials have protested the housing of illegal immigrants from the border crisis in their cities, citing health, safety and financial considerations to the community. Negative impacts from immigration tax already strained health, education and criminal justice systems.
The Baptiste Group has previously met opposition to its facilities in communities where residents do not want the negative impact of illegal immigration in their communities.
In 2019, federal grant monies were awarded to several groups for the purpose of creating residential shelter facilities for unaccompanied alien children. One of the groups, the Georgia-based Baptiste Group, received a federal grant for $3.7 million.
The group initially submitted a proposal to operate a residential facility at the former Southside Middle School in Memphis. That proposal was withdrawn after Shelby County School Board Members questioned the group’s exact plans.
At the time of the proposal, school board member Michelle Robinson McKissack expressed concerns.
“They can’t just shove them anywhere without the proper facilities,” McKissack stated. “There’s clearly some precedent for that, and I don’t want that happening in Shelby County.”
According to a letter provided to Shelby County Schools, Baptiste Group Vice President Gretchen Baptiste stated that the organization’s mission was to “provide humanitarian services to children in a nurturing environment”.
An online search of the company gives no indication of any previous experience with providing youth services, but this is one of the areas referenced on the company’s website.
State records indicate that The Baptiste Group, LLC, registered with the office of the Secretary of State in May 2019. Kevin Baptiste is listed as the principal officer with a business address located in the old Tennessee Temple dormitory building located at 1914 Vance Avenue in Chattanooga.
The Baptiste Group’s website also lists dozens employment opportunities in Chattanooga, including one for a bilingual teacher of Spanish and English and another for a bilingual youth care worker.
Requests for comment on this story have not yet been returned, but one city councilman who was asked indicated that he doesn’t know anything about it.
The Tennessee Conservative News reached out to the Chattanooga Mayor’s office, but they stated they had no foreknowledge of the facility’s existence. An email was sent to a media contact provided by The Baptiste Group for the Administration for Children & Families, but we did not receive a comment before going to press.
The Tennessee Conservative will continue to follow this story as it progresses. If you have information regarding this story, please contact news@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
29 Responses
It is time for all citizens that appose open borders and illegal entry to stand up and take the fight to Washington and the out of control Democrat party. Call your state Legislators, Senators and Congress to let them know you stand against their policy. Don`t wait, we must do this now.
I don’t know what is going on and who is behind it, but we who don’t think like them or lie like them are being held hostage to the ways and ideologies of these sneaky liars. You say to write to our legislators, senators and congressmen. I was born in California, my Dad who is 88 was born in California, my Mom moved here from Oklahoma in 1940 and we have not had a say in the decisions of the liberal lawmakers in this state for decades. Now with the election of Biden and Kamala (giving even more power to the speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi), the California way of politics, control, and overruling by Supreme Court justices of our vote is going to be done in your state and every other state in the nation. Today, I am sorry to say, our say and our vote is looking to be more and more worthless.
As a Californian who has witnessed a state that allows no democracy but dictatorship, I am warning you all. It may be too late for us all. My husband and I have been planning a move to Tennessee because we are attracted to the conservative way of thinking and the genuineness of the people. We want something that resembles the America we grew up in (Under the current babble in this country, I must add this disclaimer when I say “the America we grew up in. It has nothing to do with race. I live in a community right now that may have a handful of Black people, but they think they are so woke here. Woke, some words should never be invented. The America I am speaking of is the one where we could just live without constant causes and attention to every flaw in every person. Where we can be friendly, kind and wave to a neighbor with a smile. Speak without be afraid some word, any word out of our mouth will offend someone. Back to a place and time when we weren’t accused of being a racist if we love this country). …..We can barely afford the flights to come and visit your beautiful state so we can see if it is a good fit for us and if we are a good fit for you. And now I see that our tax payer dollars are being used to FLY these people to your state, feed, them clothe them and hire people to speak their language.
The last time I wrote my California representative Mr. Huffman about the problems caused by too much, not just illegal immigration, but to many new immigrants at one time period, he sent me a letter back telling me he must govern with his heart. That is all fine and good, but what about a heart for the people he represents and preserving their quality of life. So he does not govern with common sense or wisdom – just with his heart. That is California politics and policies in a nut shell. The citizens’ opinions AND VOTES are not important. We are still planning on moving to Tennessee, but it looks like the illegal immigrants have been able to afford to beat us there. I know our tax payer dollars are paying for them, but who is behind all of these organizations? Believe me, the Baptiste Group is just a tip of the iceberg. What is the end to their means?? I don’t believe it is all for the good of the illegal immigrants. So we all need to get this question answered – What Are Their Motives?? Who are these groups and who is behind them?? P.S. Please don’t think all California’s are liberal progressives. WE ARE NOT. God help us all from the tyranny that is taking place in our great country that many are trying to dismantle.
Thank you for your comments. Very true. I am a United States Citizen by way of my parents becoming citizens in 1976. After working hard to come here legally. We love this country and the opportunities we’ve been blessed with. Come to Tennessee asap it’s still free and we’ll leave the light on for y’all.
Hello Marta, We are in Eastern Tennessee at this very moment. We have been here since May 31st. We wanted to put our feet on the ground to see if we would like it as much as we have been hoping. Well, WE DO. The people here are so kind, considerate, unguarded and non-judging. HOW VERY REFRESHING. We have struck up a friendly conversation with so many people – we laugh together and share simple life things – not causes and activism. Causes and activism are intrusive, annoying and come with constant judging, accusation and finger pointing – oh yeah, that is the way to bring people together – NOT! I have not watched the news once since being here and I don’t care. There is nothing we can do about the crazy antics of the current administration, so I am just enjoying the friendly, laid back life of Tennessee right now. We will be heading back to old socialist California in a few days – hopefully not for long. We are selling our home and getting right back here to come to a place that we can call home and will feel like home – as California has not for a very long time. As you said Marta Tennessee IS STILL FREE. So thanks y’all for leavin’ the light on for us – please keep it burnin’ cause we’re a returnin’ Love to y’all and God Bless y’all!
Debbie, I hope you enjoy Tennessee. Many people are coming from other states to TN due to the #$&@ policies of their home states. But then they blindly vote for the progressives that will RULE to take away our freedoms. Please read up on each of the candidates before you vote. The circulars they send in the mail all sound good, they hide their stand on the issues. You have to research, please. Some people just vote based on name recognition. Well, she/he ran in the last election……..so I’ll vote for them. Educate yourself! Welcome to Tennessee.
These folks should be sent home. We are already a 3rd world country with communists in charge. The` unaccompanied males are all potential gang bangers. I lived in LA for 14 years and know how this works. They lie about their ages claiming to be 15 and are actually in their 20s. They found many in schools on the east coast also. Trump deported many MS15 ers and more are here. The churches want them and the government funds. A racket and dangerous. The dems want there votes. It’s madness.
Throw all of them out of the state and charge those that took funds to aid and abet these illegal aliens with a criminal offense for assisting in breaking our laws.
In the name of God, what is wrong with our politicians that they are so cowed they take no action ? This is our very survival , HELLO !!!!
Please let us know what is going on in the Tennessee state legislature to protect us from Biden’s gun control grab. I’ve seen Arizona and some other states counties pushing back. I’ve emailed Governor Lee but never get a response.
Thank you!
This state can barely cope with the educational losses experienced by its own children, much less deal with Mexicans who’ve been dumped into the system. I’m all for deportation back to their native countries. The taxpayers should not have to assume this burden in any level.
Send them to Nashville!
We must stop this invasion into our state of Tennessee. If there are no Provisions made under controlled and legally monitored circumstances, then these illegals should not be allowed into our state. This should be presented to the legislators immediately for them to enact laws to stop it before it gets completely out of hand. We can see what is happening to the rest of the country by all of this. Please let’s protect our beautiful state of Tennessee.
To quote Sir Thomas Browne, “charity begins at home.” You need to care for your own people before caring for others. As long as there are veterans living on the street or having to wait for months for healthcare, not a penny of tax dollars should go to care for those here illegally.
I’m in Chattanooga…I had no idea this was going on!
I wholeheartedly believe that this country needs to take a stand on these illegal immigrants coming in to the United States. I don’t care if they are children or great grand parents. They are still a human being that requires more care than we need to be providing. Let’s recover from the pandemic and then take another look at immigration. This country needs to focus on one problem at a time. If so much time and resources are be devoted to immigration then how can this administration place the needed focus and financial responsibility to spread containment and recovery of the coronavirus. Biden (not my President) needs to make good on his promise to end the virus. Instead all he can manage to do is reverse President Trump’s policies (no matter how well they worked). Something has got to give with this administration and Harris needs to do her job and quit giggling about everything!!!
All of the illegal immigrants should be transported to Delaware at Joe Biden’s personal expense.
The State of Tennessee has no problem welcoming those who legally enter. Anyone crossing into this country illegally under the Biden/Harris administration should be sent back to where they came from period. Each state should have full disclosure about who enters for residency. If the state does not agree to accept people entering illegally, then they should be sent to a state that voted for this mess. This has to stop immediately! People need to make a trip over to this Baptiste Group and stop this Gretchen Baptiste from conspiring with this corrupt administration to further their agenda.
Maybe you could send one or two to houses that are registered as a democrat for them to feed and house and provide for. This is what they wanted so the responsibility falls on them.
I graduated from that university not too long ago, and I’m homeless — working seven days a week!
Stand up and stay strong TN. Not only this problem but all the new people that have left the corrupt states moving in don’t let them change how TN Stands. Don’t let them bring the failed policy into this state. Also show up to VOTE. Check all the people running from your Sheriff to your Mayor because we have seen how they all pass the buck. And please pay attention with the School Board members that are running, this is the future of TN.
This is a load of BS! We as taxpayers are going to foot the bill now on education. Are we just to stand by and watch our great city be openly invaded? I sure didn’t vote to let them here and now my tax money is going to give them a free pass to our overcrowded schools without any questions asked.
snowflake
Send these illegals to New York city or California or how about Oregon and Washington state.
If I wanted to adopt an Mexican I would properly, I’m not supposed to pay for illegal immigrants, Chattanooga get a backbone send them back ,life ain’t fair who ever said it was lied.
Why aren’t the family members of illegal immigrants arrested for child endangerment and human trafficking?
What kind of parent sends their children hundreds of miles with criminals just to get benefits and money from the American taxpayers? Put the children permanently in orphanages.
Where in the Constitution is this authority delegated to the President or any public servant to burden taxpayers with added redistribution of their tax dollars for people here illegally?
Whatever is not specifically allowed by the Constitution, is ABSOLUTELY DENIED.
=
Also, if the 1775 Patriots did not have licenses/permits to take up arms/ revolt, then surely we Citizens today do not need a license or permit to possess arms!
Jus non Mor — Rights Never Die.
=
=
Kalergi Plan, Agenda 21. Our politicians are sold out to zionist controllers. We must use our 2nd amendment rights to remedy this ourselves. Lee has sold his soul to ZOG, he will do nothing except what his handlers tell him to. Rise up people. Strongly worded letters will do nothing. This is war, and if you won’t fight, you will go under.
From my research and findings knowing that children are being used by sex traffickers & pedophila, this is just another front for this happening. Biden is one of the biggest pedo’s as well as judges and people high up in authority. These illegal children are coming over here just for that purpose. Read this by a whistleblower. https://app.box.com/s/bcwwhvbuhs7803dbkbcotegygij72syx?fbclid=IwAR0WxDE_9DWPrfaJlBx9PmsydDw1-5_Per9T7DPzV2_lEAHPKjZFakJP8oc
Sent them ALL to Delaware and D.C. like Florida is doing.
Put them back over the border it would be different if they came in legal