Gov. Lee: Tennessee expecting 415 Afghan refugees, residents owed 'full transparency'
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says up to 415 Afghan refugees could resettle in the state.
President Joe Biden's administration notified Lee this week that hundreds of refugees may be placed with local resettlement agencies, but could not confirm timing.
Plans are underway in Nashville to welcome about 300 Afghan refugees to Music City as groups have been busy collecting donations and supplies.
ALSO SEE: How Nashville is preparing to take in hundreds of Afghan refugees fleeing from Taliban
In a statement to FOX 17 News, Lee said these are "initial" plans from the Biden Administration.
"Significant details are still outstanding, and as I’ve said before, the federal government owes Tennesseans full transparency into their plan and vetting process."
Lee is calling for more information about the refugees.
“The situation in Afghanistan is horrific, and we must bring Americans home safely and support allies who have fought alongside U.S. troops. Whether it’s persecuted Christians or interpreters who served with our troops, Tennesseans have the right to know exactly who is being settled where. While we await more information from the federal government, we are in direct communication with our congressional delegation, members of the General Assembly and local officials.”
Other states were notified this week about how many Afghan evacuees from among the first group of nearly 37,000 set to arrive in the U.S.
California is projected to take more arrivals than any other — more than 5,200 people, the Associated Press reports.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency announced on Tuesday COVID-19 vaccine requirements for immigrants looking to enter the country.
Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter.
