Tennessee is deploying National Guard troops to its southern border as Republican governors continue to support Texas in its showdown with the Biden administration over immigration enforcement.
Earlier this month, Gov. Bill Lee visited the southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas, and met with members of the Tennessee National Guard at the Millington Tennessee Army National Guard Armory prior to their voluntary deployment.
“As America faces the most serious border crisis in decades, Tennessee is showing the rest of the world what it means to lead a nation,” Tennessee’s governor wrote on X. He is tasked with securing the southern border in the face of federal inaction. ”
The first deployment will consist of 50 members and is expected to last until March, before a second wave replaces them in late spring. It was unclear where exactly it would be sent.
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Gov. Bill Lee met with the Tennessee National Guard Saturday at the Millington Armory. (Governor Bill Lee/X)
During his visit to Eagle Pass, Lee gathered with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, and other Republicans to voice support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Governor Lee said the National Guard is being sent on a voluntary mission to protect the southern border while the federal government remains inactive to crack down on immigration. (Governor Bill Lee/X)
Mr. Abbott has clashed with Mr. Biden and his administration, accusing the federal government of not being strong enough against illegal crossings.
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Republicans have long criticized the Biden administration for reversing Trump-era border policies, creating a crisis at the southern border where waves of migrants cross illegally every day.
Tennessee will deploy about 50 National Guard troops in two waves over the next few months. (Governor Bill Lee/X)
The U.S. Border Patrol reported more than 300,000 encounters in December alone, an all-time high.
Meanwhile, Biden and his administration are trying to shift the blame for the crisis onto Republican shoulders. The administration says it is tackling a broken system that requires far more funding and comprehensive immigration reform.
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Biden and former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, both made dueling visits to the southern Texas border on Thursday, as immigration remains a top concern for voters.
FOX News’ Bree Stimson contributed to this report.
