Tennessee, Virginia National Guards Assist ICE Deportations Following DHS Requests

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has mobilized the Tennessee National Guard to assist federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents with administrative and clerical duties in support of President Trump's mass deportation efforts. Acting on a request from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Guardsmen will help with tasks such as data entry, case management, and logistical support at ICE processing facilities within the state, working under the governor's authority but federally funded. Governor Lee emphasized Tennessee's readiness to support Trump's initiative to secure the nation's borders and remove violent criminals, aligning with broader Republican support in the state. This mission is still in the planning stages, with coordination ongoing between state and federal officials to determine the specific roles and extent of involvement. Similar National Guard deployments for administrative immigration enforcement roles are also occurring in other states, such as Virginia, where Governor Glenn Youngkin authorized support strictly limited to non-law enforcement tasks. These moves have drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups concerned about the human impact of such enforcement actions.