Congressman John Rose (R-TN-06) led a group of Tennessee Congressional Delegation colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden condemning the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) plan to send an unknown number of illegal immigrant detainees to Tennessee.
Earlier this week, The Tennessee Star reported that Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that his office was notified of ICE facilities in New Orleans intending to transport an unknown number of single adult detainees to Tennessee to await court proceedings.
Lee added that his office was “discussing options” with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and the state’s federal delegation on how to administer the incoming detainees.
We’ve been informed by ICE that they plan to release single adult detainees into TN while they await court proceedings. This is irresponsible & a threat to the safety of Tennesseans. https://t.co/L0Jl5UsL7F
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) December 20, 2022
Skrmetti released a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying in part, “Tennesseans should not be forced to bear the burden of the federal government’s ongoing failure to secure the border […] The lack of appropriate notice and the lack of transparency by both the federal government and its local partners means we must work quickly, but we are committed to ensuring the safety of Tennessee’s citizens.”
Rose’s letter calls for the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General to “immediately investigate ICE’s decision for any administrative misconduct and calls on the Biden Administration to take immediate action to secure the Southern border.”
President Biden’s plan to send busloads of ICE detainees to Tennessee encourages illegal immigration & sends a clear message that our borders are open.
Read my letter signed by @RepTimBurchett, @RepChuck, @DesJarlaisTN04, @RepHarshbarger, @RepMarkGreen: https://t.co/LPhXtQndEH
— John Rose (@RepJohnRose) December 23, 2022
“While liberal elitists might be okay with open borders, Tennesseans are not and that is why we are strongly opposed to this administration’s relocation of illegal immigrants to Tennessee,” the letter adds.
In a statement regarding the letter sent to President Biden, Rose said, “President Biden’s plan to send busloads of ICE detainees to Tennessee encourages illegal immigration and sends a clear message that our borders are open. Tennesseans believe in the rule of law and support legal immigration—and reject President Biden’s attempt to pass his self-inflicted problems onto the Volunteer State.”
“Surely the countless so-called sanctuary cities up and down the coasts are better options for ICE to transport their detainees. But the best option is for President Biden to actually secure the border,” Rose added.
Rose was joined by Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), and Mark Green (R-TN-07) in sending the letter.
I signed @RepJohnRose’s letter to Biden regarding plans to send illegal migrants to TN.
The TN delegation is putting the Biden Administration on notice that we will not stand idly by and let illegal migrants flood our state. We will fight to protect the safety of our citizens. pic.twitter.com/2LrWU2qYP1
— Scott DesJarlais (@DesJarlaisTN04) December 23, 2022
Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN-08) did not join the letter, however, released a separate statement regarding the matter that read, “I stand with @GovBillLee in demanding the Biden Administration reverse their plan for ICE to release single adult detainees into Tennessee. Biden’s failed policies have made every state a border state. We must secure our southern border.”
I stand with @GovBillLee in demanding the Biden Administration reverse their plan for ICE to release single adult detainees into Tennessee. Biden’s failed policies have made every state a border state. We must secure our southern border. https://t.co/Q1mfr2FECL
— Rep. David Kustoff (@RepDavidKustoff) December 22, 2022
Rose’s letter comes two days after his request for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to be removed from office via resignation or impeachment, citing the secretary’s “failures to lead the department and gross negligence when enforcing federal immigration laws.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “John Rose” by John Rose.
