Bill Lee Silent on Illegal Immigration In TN While Other GOP Governors Take Action
Photo Credit: Gov. Bill Lee / Facebook & Public Domain
Published April 19, 2021
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Governor Bill Lee remains quiet about the infiltration of President Biden’s border crisis into Tennessee.
The Tennessee Conservative recently broke a news story confirming that migrant children from the U.S./Mexico border are now being housed in an old college dormitory in Chattanooga. The program, now known as “Sidney’s Place”, is being run by the Baptiste Group. The group will be housing up to 100 children between the ages of 12 and 17.
Government data shows there are around 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children currently in the United States, leaving the Biden administration scrambling to find adequate placement for them. Border facilities are only meant to hold them for up to three days.
Despite requests for a statement, Governor Lee and his office have remained mute on the subject. However, his Republican counterparts from other states have spoken out against President Biden’s handling of the border crisis. Many have outright refused to take in the flood of migrant minors, most of whom are teenage or pre-teen males.
Republican Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska denied a request received from the Biden administration for his state to provide housing for unaccompanied migrant children, noting that his state has a responsibility to care for resident children first.
“President Biden has created an immigration crisis on our border with thousands of unaccompanied migrant children coming to our country without their parents or family,” Rickets stated. “Nebraska is declining their request because we are reserving our resources for serving our kids.”
He continued, “Nebraska is not positioned to provide the proper supports relative to the necessary trauma-informed care, wraparound services and housing that displaced migrant children would need. Taking on this crisis, which was created by President Biden, would also shift Nebraska’s focus away from managing our foster care system and Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers.”
Rickets also said that the President’s administration should be working to “reunite the children with their families in their home countries instead of pursuing the risky strategy of scattering them across the United States.”
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds also released a statement saying that Iowa does not have the resources to deal with President Biden’s problem either, stating that Iowa has enough trouble placing current foster children.
“We don’t have the facilities. We are not set up to do that,” Reynolds said. “This is not our problem. This is the president’s problem. He is the one that opened the borders. He needs to be responsible for this, and he needs to stop it.”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster would like to see the Biden administration admit that Trump might have had the right idea.
“We don’t have room for children from another state or much less another country, particularly when the flow of those children and others could be stopped just by building the wall and doing the things the Trump administration was doing on the Mexican border,” McMaster said. “The Biden administration ought to admit that Donald Trump had it right. We’ve got to build that wall. If we have the wall and strong policies at the border, we don’t have these problems in the state.”
Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, along with Attorney General Austin Knudsen, went so far as to threaten to take legal action if the President tries to transport illegal immigrants to their state.
The letter reads, “Montana is unable to care for these individuals and should not have to bear the public safety costs this reported action will impose. Know this: if these reports are confirmed, we will take any and all appropriate legal measures to immediately prevent these relocation efforts.”
Someone in Tennessee has clearly taken on the responsibility of these children, but the governor’s office has yet to release any information. County officials were not even in the know regarding the arrangements with The Baptiste Group.
“The phones have rang quite a bit here wanting to know more information. It’s kind of embarrassing that we don’t have additional information. And I actually learned about it through one of the local media outlets what was going on,” said Mayor Coppinger.
State Representative John Ragan, a member of the House K-12 Education Committee, responded to a request from Tennessee Conservative News for a statement. He was asked if there was any plan for action on the part of the legislature and what might be done about these children being funneled into Tennessee schools if they receive a sponsor.
Ragan agreed that there are far more pressing matters that require attention than the care of these undocumented migrant children.
“Our nation has well publicized issues with homelessness, especially among veterans. How can anyone possibly support giving any resources to support those who intentionally break our laws to come here before adequate care is provided to those who have served honorably and sacrificed life, limb, and sanity for their country?” Ragan asked. “For that matter, what about the American citizens who are not veterans, but homeless?”
Ragan continued, “As far as what our legislative education committees are planning to do on this issue, the answer is that only individual legislators are working the problem at this juncture. Frankly, education committees in both chambers have been totally occupied with trying to get recovery fixes in place for the COVID-19 loss of learning and addressing basic literacy shortfalls.”
The wait continues for answers from Governor Lee and his office as to the future responsibility of these children for Tennessee.
Here is a good example of why you can’t trust politicians , especially RINOs like Lee who act one way to get elected and another after they secure their positions. I believe he said that he was for ( illegal by law ) ” immigration” into our state right after he assumed office and has turned his back on Southern Heritage before this. Lee is just another RINO and big disappointment. I fell for his lies and voted him into office but NEVER AGAIN !!!
How many of these children are gang members?
You’ve got that right!
I’m with you too Fred!!! Govenor Bill Lee has lied to the American people over time and time again not some TRAITOR!!!! This is America!!! We the people are NOT tolerating this!! SEND THEM ALL BACK OVER THE BOARDER!!!!!!!!!!
We are moving from California to Tennessee and can tell you the illegal problem here is off the charts. We live in Newport Beach which is a very safe community and yet the robberies have skyrocketed. People are seeing MS 13 gang members, antifa and BLM types in what used to be very safe neighborhood. Tennessee need to fight against this with every fiber of your being.
This is unacceptable I work in public health and I can tell you first-hand that this is a problem that’s gotten way way out of hand we do not have the resources to take care of all of these people! I’m very disappointed in Governor Lee hopefully he will respond soon with an answer. Thank you very much for all your hard work! I have shared your website with many of my friends.
Gov. Lee,
While TN and the nation is struggling with so many issues, Pandemic isn’t resolved, Homeless Veterans, Business closures, illiteracy, schools reopening..There are so many burdens to overcome that Biden’s plan to send illegal immigrants (not children but preteen and teen young men)to states without securing permission, draining resources intended for citizens…should be denied entry into individual states, Government and Biden personnelly sued for import of illegal immigrants, costs incurred before returning them to their families at the border or the country of origin and Block any further import of illegal immigrants into individual states unless Biden wants them all in DC hotels, providing educational opportunities, translators, Vaccinations, health records, literacy ,job training programs and many of these young men are old enough to start working.
everyone please call and call Lees office and tell him no to accepting illegal people like the other states have done!! if we dont complain and let our voices heard politicians do what they want!
Well we got another governor that promised one thing and did the opposite. He will never get my vote again!
Gov. Lee so how much money per illegal do you pocket? cause obviously were are not a concern to you. I hate that I waisted a vote on you. I will not vote for you again.
Here, here!
I have only lived in Tennessee for a year, but up to this point I’ve been pretty pleased with the bills that the Governor has signed into law.
However… if Gov. Lee continues to be silent on this issue he will most definitely lose my vote.
Gov. Lee… you need to man up and let the citizens of TN know where you stand on this issue and whether or not you are going to put the welfare and wellbeing of the states’ citizens, or if you are going to waste our tax-payer dollars on illegal immigrants that never should have been allowed into our country OR our state!
Marc I agree completely. Not sure he would lose my vote though. Depends who runs against him and what their positions are on many things. While the staggering number of illegal immigrants flooding into our nation IS of Grave concern; a higher priority for me is our 2nd amendment rights which Joe Biden is attempting to erode away like yesterday’s news. That is far more important to me. Governor Lee has taken a firm stance on that issue although I wish he would make Tennessee a 2nd amendment sanctuary state!
As a previous resident of San Diego, CA I am more aware than I would like to be concerning the illegal aliens crossing the border into America and then tapping into our welfare system, utilizing our schools getting free college as well as getting free medical coverage. Money going to those who are not citizens is wrong and is foolish governing. There are compassionate groups, through churches and foundations that donate funds to orphans here in America and in other nations, but the government is bypassing those groups and rewarding those breaking the law. Those who condone this are creating an extreme situation. The journey is so dangerous! These poor people need to be discouraged from making such a long trip. I feel bad about the children, but sadly they are being used as pawns by people with dark motives. Compassion without common sense is destructive! America needs to send those who cross illegally back to their own country. If the parents were able to save up to hire a coyote/human trafficker, then they can save up to go through our border the right way. Many have done so and become American citizens. I welcome them, but this evil migration method going on now is wrong. Here in Tennessee we should not have to deal with the moronic decisions of an out of control government! I moved here because my state leaders had lost their collective ever lovin’ mind! Please don’t let that happen here!
What do you expect from a RINO? Especially one who is a so called super enlightened philanthropist in touch with the bleeding heart side of themselves.
How about do the right thing for us taxpayers who elected you?
I voted for Governor Lee, I went to his Rallies here in Knoxville, I trusted that he would do right by us. We do not need to bring homeless, parent less children into our state, especially children who don’t know the language, children who will when they get into schools will take away precious classroom time away from our children who do not have to be taught in a “foreign language” by a teacher that is there specifically for maybe one student in the classroom. If these Baptiste (whatever that means, which I am sure doesn’t stand for the Baptist Church) wants to pay for teachers, special schools, homes, insurance, clothing for them that doesn’t take away from legal children. We don’t want to support them feed them, clothe them, or teach them, they are illegal aliens no matter how sweet and cute they are, no matter what kind of sweet little cutesy name you want to give them. I feel sorry for them, I really do. They are pitiful, but we have a lot of poor Appalachian children in this state, no one cares about them. When all of our little homeless children have good homes, food, clothing, insurance and great schooling, then you can bring them in. Until then send the illegals back where they came from. We don’t want your children or your problems! Gov. Lee, I am sorry I was fooled by you also.
I feel very sorry for these children who are stuck in the middle of a situation they did not create and who are at the receiving end of America’s disgust that this is happening,. It is not their fault, but the fault of their families who seem to think sending them blindly into another country unaccompanied is a good idea. I feel strongly that Biden should, by all means, send them back to their own countries and the expense should come out of his own pocket for allowing this mess to occur. I am absolutely baffled at what is happening to this great country of ours. It seems that President Trump was the only person that cared about the safety and wellbeing of U.S. citizens. The others are more concerned with what other countries think of us than what our citizens think of them. I voted for Lee and for Biden and I am extremely sorry that I did both.
I moved here from Long Island. We came here to escape the belief of big government. Our taxes are insane in NY, both parents have to work 2 jobs, why, because our taxes are so high to pay for those who don’t work. Those who don’t work get $65,000+ of our hard earned tax money. Free medical, free college, free food, free housing. The teachers have to spend so much time with these immigrants. We are foster parents. We’ve had 35 foster children. The foster children get Wic formula and medical. The health department our loaded with immigrants. The doctors Are over whelmed with children. While I have to sit and wait for the foster children to be seen. The immigrants sneer at the legal residents, saying what are you doing here getting our free stuff. It is the same way in Wic as in every service that foster children get. Waiting in long lines with 100’s of illegals. It is utterly grievous and heartbreaking trying to get the services for legal foster children it will become the same here in Tennessee with so many in desperate need here, but Tennessee has values work for your needs. Our children sit in school buses full of illegals who are raised learning the free government systems. Taught how to get everything free. Literally taught how to get as much as they can from the government hand out system. They work off the books giving nothing back in taxes. They fill up all the free parks and blast their Spanish music, making parks unusable to legal residents. The great thing about Tennesseans is they believe don’t take government handouts. You earn yourself what you need.
These illegal values will penetrate through to our children. President Ronald Ragan taught our country this very important saying The 9 most dangerous words in the English language are
“I’m from the government and I’m here to help”
He also taught us to VOTE with our feet.
We are 1 generation from losing freedom if we allow it. And that is exactly what we did coming to this great state of Tennessee. I believe Tennessee has believed that value from the beginning our great state was founded .. Governor Lee
You are changing Tennessee for the worse by giving into to the worst most sinful president this county has ever had. He is ruining America and And you are walking into this grievous Sin opening our borders To Illegal entry into our sacred sovereignty of our state of Tennessee . I am grieved that I will have to move out of this great state if you continue to fall into this grievous trap of sin. Sin begets sin. Please close this great state to sinful entry illegally. How can Any one who sees this horror of the Mexican border cartels sending all these horrific drugs into our country that will destroy and kill our children and families and citizens.. President Trump worked so hard to clean it all up. All the children he has found that were sex trafficked for years. The cartel is selling 100’s of thousands of these children to sex traffickers and you are giving into thinking your helping, but on your head these young children are being placed into exploited to sex traffickers hand.
It took President Trump and teams of agents to locate these children from every state. It was one of the greatest things watching these children from every state be rescued. How can you allow this all over again?
I moved here from Long Island. We came here to escape the belief of big government. Our taxes are insane in NY, both parents have to work 2 jobs, why, because our taxes are so high to pay for those who don’t work. Those who don’t work get $65,000+ of our hard earned tax money. Free medical, free college, free food, free housing. The teachers have to spend so much time with these immigrants. We are foster parents. We’ve had 35 foster children. The foster children get Wic formula and medical. The health department our loaded with immigrants. The doctors Are over whelmed with children. While I have to sit and wait for the foster children to be seen. The immigrants sneer at the legal residents, saying what are you doing here getting our free stuff. It is the same way in Wic as in every service that foster children get. Waiting in long lines with 100’s of illegals. It is utterly grievous and heartbreaking trying to get the services for legal foster children it will become the same here in Tennessee with so many in desperate need here, but Tennessee has values work for your needs. Our children sit in school buses full of illegals who are raised learning the free government systems. Taught how to get everything free. Literally taught how to get as much as they can from the government hand out system. They work off the books giving nothing back in taxes. They fill up all the free parks and blast their Spanish music, making parks unusable to legal residents. The great thing about Tennesseans is they believe don’t take government handouts. You earn yourself what you need.
These illegal values will penetrate through to our children. President Ronald Ragan taught our country this very important saying The 9 most dangerous words in the English language are
“I’m from the government and I’m here to help”
He also taught us to VOTE with our feet.
We are 1 generation from losing freedom if we allow it. And that is exactly what we did coming to this great state of Tennessee. I believe Tennessee has believed that value from the beginning our great state was founded .. Governor Lee
You are changing Tennessee for the worse by giving into to the worst most sinful president this county has ever had. He is ruining America and And you are walking into this grievous Sin opening our borders To Illegal entry into our sacred sovereignty of our state of Tennessee . I am grieved that I will have to move out of this great state if you continue to fall into this grievous trap of sin. Sin begets sin. Please close this great state to sinful entry illegally. How can Any one who sees this horror of the Mexican border cartels sending all these horrific drugs into our country that will destroy and kill our children and families and citizens.. President Trump worked so hard to clean it all up. All the children he has found that were sex trafficked for years. The cartel is selling 100’s of thousands of these children to sex traffickers and you are giving into thinking your helping, but on your head these young children are being placed into exploited to sex traffickers hand.
It took President Trump and teams of agents to locate these children from every state. It was one of the greatest things watching these children from every state be rescued. How can you allow this all over again?
If this is true about our Tennessee governor then I say it is time to vote for someone who will keep their word and stand up for the people of T
ennessee