Tennessee governor sends National Guard to Mexican border to aid in migrant crisis

Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee has dispatched 100 members of the state National Guard to the southern border to help address the ongoing surge in illegal migration.

"America continues to face an unprecedented border crisis that threatens our nation’s security & the safety of Tennesseans," Lee said on Thursday. "Today, I authorized the deployment of 100 TN National Guard troops to support Operation Lone Star in TX."

"The federal government owes Americans a plan to secure our country. In the meantime, states continue to step up, & I commend our [National Guard] troops for answering this call to service," he continued.

The Tennessee troops will deploy at the end of the month and assist in patrolling the southern border, according to a press release. They will further provide additional security presence, aid in road clearance, and help staff outpost operations.

"These troops are a capable contingent that will continue our long-standing tradition of responding to the call to aid our fellow Americans," said Tennessee Adjutant General Warner Ross. "The Tennessee National Guard is proud to serve and support our state partners in safeguarding the United States along the U.S. Southern border."

The order from Lee follows a plea from Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has asked states to send support to help secure the Lone Star State's border.

Earlier this month, the Title 42 order that permitted border authorities to swiftly deport migrants should they hail from nations known to host a communicable disease expired. In the lead up to the order's termination, border authorities encountered record numbers of migrant arrivals at the southern border.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.