U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has removed more than 18,500 illegal aliens from Tennessee since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025, according to the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, whose leaders praised the federal agency on Tuesday.
The Republicans called the performance a result of cooperation between the Trump administration and the Tennessee General Assembly, which earlier this year passed immigration bills aimed at making Tennessee a national model, and in 2025 created the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division (CIED) of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
According to the press release, more than 18,530 illegal aliens have been removed from Tennessee since January 2025.
“Tennessee will not become a sanctuary state for illegal immigration,” stated Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville). “We will always stand with law enforcement to preserve the safety and well-being of our communities.”
Sexton said, “I applaud President Trump and his administration, and Governor [Bill] Lee for their firm commitment to protecting our borders, supporting our immigration laws, and holding those accountable who break those laws. We will ensure our public benefits are only for those who are citizens and who come into our country legally.”
The non-partisan Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimated in 2023 that about 186,000 illegal aliens lived in Tennessee. The General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee staff cited this number in their fiscal summary of an immigration bill submitted by Republicans in the Tennessee State House earlier this year.
ICE’s removal of 18,530 illegal aliens amounts to about 10 percent of the 186,000 who MPI estimated to be living in Tennessee three years ago.
Additionally, the White House in February produced deportation and self-removal numbers that indicate about 3.26 illegal aliens voluntarily leave the United States for every illegal alien deported, meaning the total number of illegal aliens who have departed from Tennessee under Trump could be as high as 78,924.
This would equate to about 42 percent of the 186,000 illegal aliens estimated to be living in Tennessee in 2023.
More recently, a DHS spokesman told CBS News last month that more than 985,000 illegal aliens had been deported nationwide, while an estimated 2.2 million more had self-deported. If the implied ratio of 2.23 self deportations per removal offered by DHS carries for Tennessee, this would suggest as many as 59,917 illegal aliens have left the Volunteer State.
A hypothetical potential departure of 59,917 illegal aliens would equate to 32 percent of those estimated to be living in Tennessee three years ago.
“Every one of these removals represents a Tennessee community made safer,” stated House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland). “Simply put, if you’re in Tennessee illegally, you will be removed. And we will continue providing our law enforcement partners with every tool they need to finish the job.”
In addition to creating the CIED, since Trump reentered the White House, the General Assembly has passed legislation requiring Tennessee sheriffs’ offices to enter 287(g) agreements that allow local law enforcement to perform certain federal immigration functions, imposed new requirements aimed at identifying removable aliens, expanded E-Verify requirements, and strengthened verification of citizenship or lawful presence for public benefits.
Deputy House Speaker Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) stated, “While Democrats support a system that subsidizes waste, fraud, and abuse, puts families and communities at risk, and encourages lawlessness, Republicans’ approach ensures our citizens’ safety, and that your tax dollars are well-managed and resources are reserved for those who are legally in our great state.”
Separately, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) reported earlier this month that its analysis of U.S. Census Bureau survey data found the total foreign-born population living in the country declined by 2.9 million between January 2025 and July 2026. CIS also estimated that the illegal immigrant population declined by 2.3 million during the same period, from 15.8 million to 13.5 million.
Tennessee released a report in January showing that more than 11,000 were charged or convicted of a crime in 2025. Last month, ICE announced that it arrested 120 illegal aliens during an operation at a Memphis nightclub.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
