Concerns Rise as National Guard Deploys to Memphis for Immigration Enforcement

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:45:51 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

With President Trump’s recent directive to combat crime in Memphis through the deployment of the National Guard, local communities, particularly among the Hispanic population, express fears of racial profiling and mass deportations.

President Trump's establishment of the Memphis Safe Task Force includes the deployment of the National Guard to support crime-fighting strategies, particularly related to immigration enforcement. This has led to widespread concern among the city's Latino community, with fears that individuals, including U.S. citizens, may be targeted based on their appearance. Local leaders and organizations are prepping residents on their rights and the implications of federal intervention in the city, igniting a heated debate over the approach to crime and public safety.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The arrival of the National Guard in Memphis as part of President Trump’s initiative to tackle crime has stirred anxiety among the Latino community, which fears excessive scrutiny and potential deportations under federal immigration law.

Included in the recently formed Memphis Safe Task Force, which is designed to enforce federal immigration policies, the deployment of the National Guard raises concerns about targeting individuals of Hispanic descent, according to voices in the community.

Sandra Pita, a U.S. citizen of Mexican descent, expressed her worries about potential profiling that could affect not only her friends and family but also law-abiding residents and their children. “I fear they will be targeting people with brown or Black skin, including my children,” Pita said, echoing a sentiment shared by many.

Reactions to the National Guard's Role

The deployment has elicited mixed reactions. Critics view it as an unwarranted federal intrusion, stating that Memphis requires funding and resources to combat poverty and social issues that drive crime, rather than a military presence. Supporters, however, argue it will bolster law enforcement and improve public safety amidst persistent violence.

Tennessee state Sen. Brent Taylor defended the initiative as an investment rather than an occupation during a GOP rally, while Democrat Mayor Paul Young criticized the deployment, believing that it doesn't solve crime but merely aims to enhance the visual presence of safety enforcement.

Data from operations in Washington indicates that a significant number of arrests linked to similar deployments were immigration-related, heightened by the imminent arrival of more National Guard troops within the week.

These developments sharply contrast the stance of Democratic leaders in other states, where similar measures are seen as exacerbating local tensions and undermining local governance.

Community Responses and Preparedness

With around 10% of Memphis’ population identifying as Hispanic, local community groups have stepped up to educate residents about their rights. They distribute materials instructing individuals on how to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement inquiries and encourage awareness of real-time law enforcement activities.

Mauricio Calvo, CEO of Latino Memphis, emphasized the importance of understanding the broad implications of these actions, noting a dangerous potential for racial profiling and significant deportation operations. Legal professionals have similarly voiced the risk of confusion during interactions with law enforcement, capable of complicating legal processes and undermining due process.

“Everybody is trying to prepare for how to live with this kind of presence,” stated attorney Casey Bryant, highlighting the pervasive anxiety within the community over maintaining their rights under the looming federal oversight.