Local and state response to cracking down on illegal immigration

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – 2025 is off to a new political start, with Donald Trump as the 47th President.

As he begins his work in office, one of the most debated issues on the table has been immigration.

Statistics show there have been more than 10.3 million “illegal entries” nationwide since 2021.

In one of President Trump’s speeches, he tells his supporters that the United States will once again consider itself a growing nation.

“Our goal is to turn over criminals, and we will hunt down, capture every single gang member, drug dealer, rapist, murderer, and migrant criminal that is here illegally.”

Due to the possibility of cracking down on immigration laws, this has raised concerns for certain community members.

Lily Sanchez, the communications manager for La Paz in Chattanooga, explains that enforcing these policies may put peaceful illegals on edge.

“We understand their concerns to maintain a level of security for our nation, but we also know as a fact that there are predominantly, primarily members of our communities that are simply working to make a living, building their families and live here, wanting to contribute and take part in the American dream.”

Representative Chuck Fleischmann addresses this concern that many members of society seem to share.

He explains that he wants to work with immigrants wanting to come here the correct way, legally, and highlights how unfair it is that some immigrants attempt to follow immigration procedures but get deported, while others are able to slip through the cracks and live here illegally.

“Legal immigration is what this country is all about, and I do think we owe it to these people who want to play by the rules. Thinking of these wonderful people who played by the rules, sometimes they come to us and get deported, even though they have been trying to do this legally in the right way. Other people stream across, don’t play by the rules, and go to the sanctuary cities and get all these benefits. So, yes, I’m going to work with President Trump to streamline this.”

Sanchez continues to advocate for the Latinos in the community, defending their place in the Chattanooga community.

“The kind of community members that engage with our organization are just families, young adults, and children who are just trying to thrive here in Chattanooga, build their lives, just like any other resident of the city. And so here at La Paz, we provide access and guidance to resources and support that can help make that happen.”

Fleischmann makes it clear that the first to be deported will be criminals—those who cause intentional harm to those around them—and insists that all he and Trump’s administration want is to see a happy, healthy, and safe America where no one is above the law.

While he admits that there are flaws in the immigration process, such as it taking too long, the process needing to be expedited for those trying to come here legally, he also mentions that many other minorities have expressed to him that this seems unfair given that they were legal citizens all along but weren’t given so many benefits from the very beginning.

“Even other people who came here innocently are going into the sanctuary cities and costing the taxpayers millions and millions of dollars. In fact, some of the residents—and I spoke with in depth with many African-American residents in the city of Chicago—have been very vocal, saying, ‘Look, we’ve been citizens since the beginning, we were treated unfairly, and these illegal immigrants are coming in, breaking federal laws, and getting benefits galore, not only at the cost of taxpayers but to the detriment of existing American citizens.’”

As the question of humanity hangs in the balance, Fleischmann vouches for President Trump’s humanity and hopes for a better, safer, and more fair future for all.

We will keep you updated as this process continues.