Nashville Standard

NASHVILLE, TN - Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn have sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding answers regarding reports of nearly 600 illegal immigrants intending to settle in the Nashville area. The senators express their deep concern about the situation and criticize the Biden administration for its failure to secure the border.

According to the senators, the City of Franklin was recently notified by the DHS that these immigrants, from Guatemala, Venezuela, Honduras, and Mexico, will likely settle in Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and the surrounding communities. The senators attribute this to the Biden administration's utilization of the catch-and-release policy, which they deem disastrous.

"This troubling news comes as Biden's border crisis continues to worsen by the day under your watch," the senators wrote in their letter. They highlight the alarming number of migrant encounters at the southern border since President Biden took office, which has surpassed 8.5 million. In December alone, Customs and Border Protection encountered over 302,000 migrants, the highest number in nearly two decades. Furthermore, CBP has encountered 49 individuals on the terrorist watchlist in this fiscal year alone.

The senators hold the Biden administration responsible for the humanitarian and national security crisis at the southern border. They accuse the administration of releasing migrants into communities across the country in an attempt to hide the true extent of the border crisis. They argue that this policy is dangerous and irresponsible, making every town in America less safe.

The senators' letter demands information from Secretary Mayorkas regarding the reports of these illegal immigrants settling in Middle Tennessee. They insist that the people of Tennessee should not have to bear the consequences of the administration's failure to secure the border.

The letter concludes by emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability from the DHS. The senators request a prompt response to their inquiries and express their expectation of full cooperation from the department.

As the situation unfolds, the people of Middle Tennessee await answers from the DHS regarding the settlement of hundreds of illegal immigrants in their communities.