Image Credit: TNDAGC & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
The first report related to crime that is committed by illegal immigrants in the state has been compiled by Tennessee’s District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC).
Following the passage of legislation last year, TNDAGC is required to collect and compile data on the costs related to illegal immigrants in Tennessee who have been charged or convicted of a criminal offense.
The reports are sent to the Governor, and both the House and Senate speakers, and will continue on an annual basis until at least 2032.
Last year, Senate sponsor Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18) said that the legislation would help the state sue the federal government over the costs of illegal immigration in Tennessee but critics at the time said that more data collection was not the answer, especially when the data is meant for the eyes of GOP leadership whose track record on illegal immigration is weak.
The new law requires that local law enforcement verify the citizenship of detainees and report those found to be in the United States illegally to TNDAGC using a Public Chapter 1008 form. TNDAGC in turn must create a report by January 1st. With the law only taking effect last July, the first report spans October 1st, 2024 – December 31st, 2024 only.
According to the report, 73 out of 95 Tennessee counties sent in a monthly report at least once during the three month reporting window, with 71 of those providing a report for all three months.
However, 22 counties did not respond at all. TNDAGC says they are working with the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association to improve reporting among all 95 counties for the 2025 report due next year.
Here is the list of the 22 counties who did not send in any reports:
Bedford
Benton
Bledsoe
Campbell
Cannon
Crockett
Fentress
Franklin
Hardeman
Haywood
Jackson
Lake
Lauderdale
Lewis
Madison
Morgan
Overton
Perry
Pickett
Scott
Unicoi
Union
During that three month span, TNDAGC received around 2,719 reports of individuals found to be in Tennessee unlawfully who had been charged or convicted of a criminal offense.
These individuals represented some 92 different countries of origin, with Mexico at the top of the list.
Of the 3,854 total charges, 447 were violent offenses with 11 homicides, this includes first degree murder, second degree murder, and vehicular homicide.
Davidson County dealt with the most illegal immigrants by far, 796. Nearby Maury, Rutherford, and Sumner counties, and Knox County in East Tennessee, saw between 115 to 242 reports each. Also close to Davidson county, are Robertson, Williamson, and Wilson counties who along with Hamblen, and Hamilton counties, saw between 63 and 114 illegals. The other 21 counties that saw illegal immigrant crime had anywhere from 1 to 62 cases.
Of the violent offenses committed, 45 involved minor victims.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
