‘Real BACKBONE:’ Tennessee governor mobilizes National Guard to expedite deportations

The Volunteer State’s not playing when it comes to illegal immigration.

And Republican Governor Bill Lee isn’t going to let red tape get in the way of President Trump’s America First agenda.

“As Gov. Lee has said many times, Tennessee stands ready to support President Trump’s efforts to secure our Nation’s borders and remove the most violent criminals from our streets,” said Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson, according to WKRN-TV.

“.@GovBillLee is mobilizing the Tennessee National Guard to help with mass deportations.”

“ICE has already conducted multiple raids across the state… they’ve detained almost 2,700 people since June 10th.” pic.twitter.com/6PJsmTdxZA

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 7, 2025

Lee reportedly called upon the Tennessee National Guard to help bypass cumbersome paperwork that typically slows down the deportation process, Breitbart reported.

“In response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s request for assistance, the Governor authorized Tennessee National Guardsmen under Title 32 status to assist with administrative and clerical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities within the state. These service members will assist with tasks including data entry, case management, and logistical support,” Johnson added.

Per ICE, the Guard will be utilized to “detect and handle deportable individuals” in custody, Breitbart reported. It may also assist in “identifying individuals at DUI checkpoints and sharing details directly with ICE,” as well as “serving and executing administrative warrants for individuals in your agency’s custody.”

“America wants to be certain that criminals, especially illegal immigrant criminals that are on our streets, that are in gangs, that are drug traffickers, that are human traffickers, that they’re taken, they’re removed, and they’re deported,” Gov. Lee said. “America has been really clear about that, President Trump has been clear about that, part of the reason he got elected was to carry that out, and Tennessee wants to be a partner.”

Lee’s move garnered plenty of praise on X:

That’s how it’s done. Tennessee’s showing real BACKBONE while other states sit around whining.

Round them up, send them out, every state with a spine should follow this lead immediately.

— Emilia Henderson (@Emilia__writes) August 7, 2025

It’s completely justified to use the National Guard to assist ICE with deportations.

The US has been INVADED by millions of illegal aliens.

President Trump has ended the invasion, now it’s time to expel the remaining invaders.

— Heartland Grump (@heartland_grump) August 7, 2025

Enforcing the law should never be optional. Tennessee is leading by example.

— States Radar (@statesradar) August 7, 2025

Perfect. I’m from Tennessee get them the hell out. For example Crime in Memphis is through the roof as it is Democrat cities in Tennessee don’t even care about its citizens the youth .. murder after murder, robberies broad daylight, poverty . why are we importing foreigners that…

— Shiree (@ShireeTNTX) August 7, 2025

Get them all out. No exceptions. The quicker, the better.

— Chris (@ChrisandOla) August 7, 2025

Well, 2700 is a drop in the bucket. That should have been Nashville alone. We are loaded with illegals. You go to a local mall and hear a dozen different languages, English is becoming the second language. We need new leadership in Nashville. @MarshaBlackburn @GovBillLee

— RecolonizeMars (@RecolonizeM) August 7, 2025

Awesome!…. every governor should be doing this… @GovMikeDeWine start in Springfield and Cincinnati

— DaveOH1 (@dave_oh1) August 7, 2025

@GovernorKayIvey Alabama needs this level of attention

— Blessed to be lost in the mountains (@Anthony84428631) August 7, 2025

Any state not doing this is Occupied Territory! pic.twitter.com/XXpxnKPXDH

— Stevenson (@BannedbyBiden) August 7, 2025

America First!

— Theresa Wilkinson (@Theresa44418241) August 7, 2025

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