Republican leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly are pointing to a newly released 2025 report as evidence they say underscores the need for tougher state-level enforcement on illegal immigration and closer cooperation with federal authorities.
The report, released Saturday by the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC), compiles information submitted by local law enforcement documenting criminal charges and convictions involving individuals identified as illegal immigrants in the Volunteer State.
The 2025 report marks the first time a full year of offenses has been documented under Tennessee law, following an initial report last year that covered only October through December 2024.
According to the 2025 report, local agencies from 94 of Tennessee’s 95 counties submitted 11,344 reports throughout the year, accounting for 21,648 total criminal charges. Of those, 2,183 were classified as violent offenses.
The data highlights there were 41 homicides statewide, along with 1,592 assaults, 145 sexual offenses, 11 child rapes, and 40 aggravated kidnappings.
In addition, law enforcement reported 2,920 DUI charges and 5,318 cases of driving without a license or on a suspended or revoked license.
The report shows that Mexico (3,970), Guatemala (2,325), and Honduras (1,479) were among the top countries of origin for illegal immigrants involved in criminal cases documented by Tennessee law enforcement.
In a statement posted on social media, Tennessee House Republicans highlighted the scope of the findings, calling the report confirmation of the need for “strong state-level action on illegal immigration.”
“Tennessee Republicans will always prioritize public safety,” the caucus added.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) echoed that message, saying the data reinforces the legislature’s push to work with federal authorities.
“This is why we’re doing everything we possibly can to ensure TN is cooperating with [President Donald Trump] and [ICE] in the fight against illegal immigration,” Johnson said.
House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Cottontown) called the findings “bad, really bad,” and argued that many of the crimes listed in the report could have been prevented.
“This will not be tolerated in this great state and we WILL do more to keep you safe,” Lamberth pledged.
Saturday’s report comes weeks after Republican leaders in the General Assembly unveiled a legislative package aimed at a comprehensive overhaul of immigration policy.
Among the proposals in the legislative package include measures to criminalize certain immigration-related offenses, expand reporting requirements for law enforcement, tighten driver’s license and vehicle registration rules, mandate E-Verify for public employers, and restrict access to public benefits and professional licenses based on citizenship or legal status.
Pointing to Saturday’s report, House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) said the legislative package unveiled by Republicans “will ensure Tennesseans are safe and our taxes are well-managed by putting a stop to these crimes, providing transparency and rooting out the waste, fraud & abuse.”
“TN will not become a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants nor for criminal actions,” Sexton added.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Crime Scene” by MacWagen CCNCND2.0.
