NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is mobilizing the National Guard to assist with President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan, according to a spokesperson at the governor’s office.

The governor’s office told News 2 the decision was made following a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“As Gov. Lee has said many times, Tennessee stands ready to support President Trump’s efforts to secure our Nation’s borders and remove the most violent criminals from our streets,” Elizabeth Johnson, the governor’s spokesperson, wrote in an email to News 2.

“In response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s request for assistance, the Governor authorized Tennessee National Guardsmen under Title 32 status to assist with administrative and clerical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities within the state. These service members will assist with tasks including data entry, case management, and logistical support.”

News 2’s sister station in Knoxville, WATE, asked Gov. Lee about his decision.

“America wants to be certain that criminals, especially illegal immigrant criminals that are on our streets, that are in gangs, that are drug traffickers, that are human traffickers, that they’re taken, they’re removed, and they’re deported,” Gov. Lee said. “America has been really clear about that, President Trump has been clear about that, part of the reason he got elected was to carry that out, and Tennessee wants to be a partner.”

Earlier this year, journalists pressed the governor about potential plans to use the National Guard to assist with mass deportations. While he didn’t directly answer yes or no, Gov. Lee alluded to being willing to help in any way.

“To the degree that Tennessee participates in that, I look forward to seeing what [President Trump’s] plans finally will be, and we will be supportive of his strategies as the president,” Gov. Lee said.

However, some argued that mass deportations will hurt the state in the long run.

“Mass deportations is not just a moral disaster, but it’s an economic one,” Luis Mata, with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said. “The state resources we are wasting on mass deportations and would potentially waste on mass deportations could instead go toward giving our communities, all Tennesseans, the resources to truly thrive.”

The governor’s office said the mission is still in the planning stages. The soldiers will be under the state’s command, but will be paid by the federal government.