TIRRC Condemns Governor Lee's Agreement to Send National Guard Troops to Memphis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2025
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media@tnimmigrant.org

Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Group Warns National Guard Deployment Will Harm Immigrant Families and Undermine Local Democracy

MEMPHIS— This morning Governor Lee held a press conference confirming President Trump's plans to send the National Guard to Memphis as a part of a larger law enforcement takeover in order to silence the will of Memphians. 

Lisa Sherman Luna, Executive Director of Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, released the following in a video statement:

"The people of Memphis didn't ask for this. They didn't ask for federal troops to patrol their streets. They didn't consent to having their city occupied by the National Guard. Yet once again, we're seeing leaders like Governor Lee and President Trump seize power from local communities. 

"Governor Lee claims they will be spending $100 million on fighting crime, but what that will actually do is terrorize our communities. Imagine what it would look like if that money was spent on fully funding programs we know actually make our communities safer, like strong public schools, affordable housing, public transportation, and youth opportunities! 

"The people of Memphis have the right to govern themselves, and determine what happens in their own communities. We shouldn't have to live according to the whims of power-hungry federal and state officials who see diverse cities as threats rather than sources of strength and vibrancy.

"This is federal and state seizure of local power and it's going to harm real people in Memphis, especially our immigrant neighbors as we will see increased police presence, ICE, and other federal agencies that will be separating families, leading to disrupting children's education, and preventing people from accessing healthcare and other critical services. We must stand up together and say "no" to this abuse of power. We will not allow federal leaders to use our cities as testing grounds for authoritarian control. Memphis belongs to the people who call it home—not to federal and state officials looking for excuses to take power from the people. 

"We value our vibrant, diverse communities. Tennessee will not be intimidated. We will continue to support each other and fight for the fundamental right to govern ourselves. Because when we stand together, we are stronger than those who want to rig the system against us."