Tennesseans Ask Gov. Lee Why He’s Soft on Illegal Immigration
Photo: Brandon Lewis, Founder & Publisher of The Tennessee Conservative, visits the Migrant Detention Center in Chattanooga, TN – May 14, 2021
Published May 14, 2021
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
In statements made by Governor Lee last year, it appears that he opened the door to Tennessee becoming a drop-off point for displaced migrant minors coming to our state via Biden’s Border Crisis.
As reported by the Tennessean in December, Governor Lee chose to continue to allow ‘refugees’ to enter the state, making Tennessee one of only a few Republican-led states that allows ‘resettlement’ of this nature.
This was, of course, when President Donald Trump was in office and the flow of migrants/refugees was a trickle as compared to the influx the country is experiencing now.
At the time, Lee’s administration consented to working with President Trump to “responsibly resettle refugees,” much to the chagrin of several Tennessee Republican legislators.
It would appear that the Biden administration took advantage of Lee’s stance when scrambling to find adequate placement for the ever-growing number of unaccompanied migrant children, most of whom are teenage or pre-teen males.
On Tuesday, however, Lee joined with 19 other Republican governors in a letter to Biden urging him to secure the southern border and stem the influx of migrants illegally entering the country.
In a statement issued to the Tennessee Conservative on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Randy McNally said, “I opposed Tennessee’s decision to accept refugee resettlement 18 months ago and I oppose the Biden administration’s feckless immigration policy today. We need to get control of our borders and properly vet those coming into our country. I join Governor Lee in calling for the Biden Administration to act immediately to get this situation under control.”
*** Click Here to Support Conservative Journalism in Tennessee. We can’t cover News Stories such as this without your support!***
Many Tennesseans are strongly opposed to Lee’s decision from last year and Biden continuing to not gain control over the border.
Barbara Goad stated, “Illegal Immigrants should not be in Tennessee. Not that they won’t come here anyway, but we like Tennessee the way it is.”
Gary Woody said, “Does it matter what the tax paying citizens think or want? Did anyone vote for this? Would our voices be heard?”
Christine Larsen stated that they should be allowed in only if they are being protected from human trafficking.
Cindy Melton Wright stated that, “They should ship all illegals to DC so Biden can take care of them. I support legal immigration 100% but I am 100% against taking illegal aliens.”
The Tennessee Conservative reached out to the office of Tennessee Attorney General, Herbert Slatery to find out if there are any legal measures Tennessee could pursue in its current situation.
Slatery’s office stated, “This is obviously a complicated and sensitive issue. The Tennessee Attorney General’s office has no original criminal jurisdiction- on any matter, including this. We would be very limited on immigration issues because legally that is a federal matter.”
The Tennessee Conservative has also reached out to Lee on numerous occasions for an updated comment or plan of action and have received no response.
However, many of his Republican counterparts from other states have outright refused to take in the flood of migrant minors in the first place.
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.
Iowa’s 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.
Montana’s 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.
Tennessee resident Al Hrosik says to Lee, “Stand up and grow a backbone…if you are confused as to how to do this contact Governor Abbot, Gov. Noem or Gov. Desantis.”
I don’t know, there is a lot if high-rise residential buildings going up in Nashville around the Gulch. We could probably house a lot of illegals there…I’m sure those “open-minded” libs living there now would welcome them in…
Pissed off, aiding and abetting crime is a major issue in this State.
governor lee should be impeached!!!!!! We as taxpaying citizens did not vote for this!!!!
He did not agree to let illegals in from Biden’s border crisis but Biden dropped them off anyway.
Lee Joins With 19 Republican Governors In Letter To Biden Urging Him To Get A Handle On Border Crisis
https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/lee-joins-with-19-republican-governors-in-letter-to-biden-urging-him-to-get-a-handle-on-border-crisis/
What is wrong with our Governors and Congress that they cannot take back America for the people who put them in to office. Every illegal should be bus back to Washington DC and set before Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Biden is letting the illegal immigrant children in, he can take care of them. Please! Do not let them come to Tennessee.
We do not want our taxes used to home illegal immigration when Americans have problems that need our help!
I have been opposing this since I first found out about it. It looks like Bill Lee doesn’t give a damn what the people of Tennessee want. Well, Mr. Lee, don’t plan on being re-elected. I am sharing this on every social platform I can. Shame on you. Grow some cajones and do your job – represent the people of the state of Tennessee.
Now hold on just a damn minute! Governor Lee has done many good things for our state. He makes one decision that was not a bad decision at the time. President Trump had the immigration issue WELL under control! No Way Gov. Lee could have seen this coming 18 months ago any more than you or I could have! We get rid of him and we might wind up losing many other things such as our right to purchase guns and Use them if need be to protect ourselves and our families!
At a very minimum, Governor Lee should provide the tax paying public with a full disclosure of all things illegal and legal immigration. What the taxpayers spend directly and indirectly on our state’s immigration policies are OUR BUSINESS, and if the fact that we are harboring fugitive, illegal immigrants doesn’t bother you, the fact that it seems to have a certain secretive cloud about it, should make EVERY citizen furious! FULL DISCLOSURE NOW, Governor Lee!
Although I voted for Governor Lee when he began his campaign to become our Governor , I’m now sadly disappointed that he has flip flopped and is in essence somewhat of a RINO siding with the Communist/Marxist when it comes right down to it. Now that he, like most all politicians it seems , has turned his back on those of us who supported him ; I will never vote for him again since he turned traitor. Just another kick in the gut of those who hoped he may be different than most politicians
He won’t answer the question honestly because I think he is ” on the take ” and is colluding with those who have no interest in what is best for Tennessee and the rest of our once free nation. He has shown himself to be a self-serving slimy politician as most seem to be once they lie their way into office.
It’s just another issue that illustrates why our country is crumbling and freedom takes a back seat to traitorous self serving politicians.
Lee is a slimy traitorous politician who lies to get in office and then stabs those of us in the back that he lied to to get into office.
He has lost the confidence and me and my family and friend’s vote and support.
Just another low life RINO.
He is a perfect example as to why our freedoms are being lost and why the Marxist/ Communist agenda is so successful in a country where the politicians put themselves before the good of their country.
Dump Lee the first chance we get. If there is any way we can recall this traitor it ought to be done immediately. He will never answer the question as to why he is supporting the Marxist Demoncraps because deep down he obviously is in league with them.
Governor Lee is NOT a politician! Have you read his bio? I suggest you look it up before spewing your hate!
Thank you! I will question Lee via email.
There are too many of our own children that need to be taken care of. If you bring in all those illegal minors here that takes away from helping the children in the foster program. Plus none of them have been vetted and could bring in more COVID cases.
We can’t even take care of our kids. Taking the free reading program away but can give to illegals and giving our dollars to other states. He’s as bad as Biden.
We should make Tennessee first and not worry about illegals. We don’t need to work with the Democrats on anything they are out to destroy America. Mr Lee please stand up for our country. Norman
stop all illegals from coming too tn. i vote in all elections, and will not vote for anyone helping illegals on my dime.
What is wrong with our Governors and Congress that they cannot take back America for the people who put them in to office. Every illegal should be bus back to Washington DC and set before Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Send them back from where they came from. No free education, healthcare or other freebies.
All illegal immigrants need booted out and sent back to their home countries. Period. No free health care, no having babies in hospitals here (midwives at home are a great and much cheaper alternative they can afford) and no free schooling. As citizens we need to ONLY hire people bonded and insured and LEGAL US citizens-and do not do business with companies that hire illegals. It’s all about the $. Our homeless, mentally ill and veterans should 100% be taken care of first.
I am with Cindy Melton Wright; Send them all to the White House and let the Biden administration take care of them! This is NOT Governor Lee’s doing however, he does need to change the policy in Tennessee now that Trump is no longer President. I totally agree with that but let’s not be hasty in our judgment. We could wind up with another Phil Bredesen and Nobody wants that!! I think Governor Lee has done a fine job for the most part. No one is perfect but there is far worse out there! Think about Michigan where Gov. Whitmer is looking to shut down the Enbridge pipeline during a national gas shortage! Things could be MUCH worse!!!
It’s always about the money seen and unseen and anyone who condones circumventing our laws is treason giving aid and comfort to those that invade our borders and break our laws should be put in jail. We did not vote or give consent to the invasion of foreigners who jump our borders and my family owns a resort in Arizona and it is a travesty to those who live on the borders having to deal with this front and center.