MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WKRN) — News 2 crews drove to Memphis on Tuesday to speak with Governor Bill Lee following a "public safety operation" involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol over the weekend.

On Sunday, three charter buses were seen leaving a Homeland Security field office after THP troopers reported conducting dozens of traffic stops "in areas with a history of serious traffic crashes and suspected gang activity." Lee was in Memphis Tuesday for the unveiling of a new roundabout at Interstate 55 and Crump Boulevard.

Lee told News 2 he would continue to support President Donald Trump’s efforts to go after illegal and criminal activity. 

“As we've said from the beginning, we want to be a willing partner with the federal government to remove criminals from our streets and to the degree that they have an action we want to be a part of that,” Lee said.  

Lee claimed the state was made aware of the ICE operation ahead of time and would continue to offer its assistance with these efforts.  

“I think we all know — the country knows — that over the past four years, a lot of really bad actors have made their way into this country over the border, drug and gang activity and criminals of all types," Lee said. "President Trump was very clear that he was going to work to remove those folks from our country. Americans elected him to do that, and this ICE activity that's happening and that has happened in Nashville is exactly what that's about. It is about an effort to remove criminals from the streets."

News 2 asked Lee if he knew which individuals may have been on the buses seen leaving the ICE facility, or if he knew where they were heading. He referred News 2 to ICE. News 2 has reached out to ICE for comment.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/lee-answers-questions-ice-stops/