Updated 1/23/20

Governor Bill Lee announced this week Tennessee will continue to accept refugees, joining only a handful of Republican led states in doing so as a deadline looms to inform the federal government of the state's stance on resettlement.

During the Giles County Commission meeting Monday the commissioners approved the resolution of no consent to refugee resettlement that will be sent to the state legislature and the governor.

District 3 Commissioner Mike Cesarini called the resolution discriminatory and racist and questioned its constitutionality and asked commissioners to send the resolution back to local committee for multiple questions including a review by the county attorney. Cesarini’s motion failed by a vote of 15 against and five in favor.

Tommy Pollard, District 5 Commissioner, explained his opposition to bringing refugees into Giles County, while District 1 Commissioner Bill Cary clarified that the resolution is a declaration of the county’s resistance to being forced to accept refugees with no say in the process.

The resolution passed by a vote of 11 to 7 with two abstentions and one member absent.