Lee Appoints State's First Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer

Gov. Bill Lee has announced the appointment of a former federal agent as Tennessee’s first chief immigration enforcement officer to lead the state’s crackdown on illegal immigration. 

Ryan Hubbard retired as a federal agent in February after 28 years in immigration enforcement working as a U.S. border patrol agent and with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and Homeland Security Investigations

Hubbard contributed investigations into immigration fraud, smuggling, identity theft and sex trafficking. He worked with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task force in Nashville for 10 years. 

“Tennessee has a long track record of stepping up to secure our nation’s borders, and we stand ready to be a willing partner as the Trump administration strengthens public safety by enforcing immigration laws on the books,” says Lee in a release. “Ryan Hubbard is a dedicated public servant with decades of experience in immigration enforcement, and I am confident he is the right person to oversee this new division.”

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The creation of the CIEO position comes after Tennessee lawmakers passed a sweeping immigration package — in line with crackdowns implemented by the Trump administration — during this year’s special session. 

The legislation created a centralized immigration enforcement division, which is largely exempt from the state’s Public Records Act. It also looks to enact criminal penalties for officials who adopt or vote for sanctuary policies and to establish a grant program for local law enforcement to create detainment agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Jeff Long, commissioner of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, says in the release the new office will focus on individuals with final deportation orders or serious criminal convictions who "remain in our communities.”

“Ryan’s extensive experience makes him the right leader to build strong partnerships with local agencies and deliver results,” Long says.

This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.