Sevier County Sheriff Hodges’ Immigration Remarks Raise Questions About Law, Jobs, and Politics

Sevier County Sheriff and County GOP Chair Michael Hodges Jr. told members of the Sevierville Sunrise Rotary Club last week that his office is “only seeking to target and help remove illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.” The comments, posted on the Club’s Facebook page, have drawn sharp criticism from those who believe the Sheriff’s approach prioritizes business interests over the rule of law and over the livelihoods of Tennesseans.

“If we removed every illegal immigrant in Sevier County, we’d shut down this economy,” Hodges said. “We are not looking to empty this county, I promise you.” He explained that his office is creating a list of illegals with criminal histories to share with federal officials, stressing that violent offenders are his top concern.

While few would argue that violent criminals should not be the top priority, Hodges’ words suggest that broader immigration enforcement is being deliberately set aside in order to keep hotels staffed, lawns mowed, and kitchens running. Critics say this amounts to shielding a workforce that undercuts Tennesseans by supplying businesses with cheap, exploitable labor. Crossing the border illegally is still a crime, even if not a violent one, and hardly a victimless one when it costs citizens jobs. Business owners benefit by hiring workers they may not have to pay fairly or even at minimum wage—creating, in effect, a shadow economy that looks more like exploitation than compassion.

There is also the question of public safety. Just because someone has no violent criminal history does not mean they are incapable of committing one. Illegal entrants are not vetted, and the tragic case of Laken Riley is proof. Her accused killer had no record of violent crime, though he had prior encounters with law enforcement, and nothing in his background suggested he was capable of such horrific violence. That possibility exists with any citizen too, but there is a critical difference: citizens—whether born here or naturalized through a legal process—have a right to be here. Illegal immigrants do not.

Hodges’ position also comes at a time when Tennessee has enacted one of the strictest immigration-related laws in the country. House Bill 322 / Senate Bill 392, which took effect July 1, 2025, created new offenses for human smuggling and harboring. Under the law, it is a Class E felony to transport or conceal ten or more adults—or five or more minors—for financial gain while hiding them from law enforcement. But it also goes further, making it a Class A misdemeanor to “harbor or hide” any person known, or reasonably expected to be known, to have entered or remained in the United States illegally. That misdemeanor offense carries a fine of $1,000 for each person harbored.

The wording of the law means that landlords who knowingly lease apartments to illegal immigrants could face liability, since providing shelter is defined as “harboring.” The same reasoning could extend to employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, because giving them work allows them to remain in the state undetected. In other words, while the Sheriff himself would not be criminally exposed for choosing not to remove certain individuals, the people and businesses he is effectively protecting—landlords, hotel operators, restaurants, and others—could be.

Supporters of the legislation say the intent is twofold: to deter human trafficking and to “de-magnetize” the state by making it harder for illegal immigrants to live or work in Tennessee. Opponents have already filed a class action lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the law is unconstitutionally vague, preempted by federal law, and could even criminalize housing or employing someone who once entered illegally but now has lawful status. Religious organizations have also joined the challenge, warning that the law infringes on their right to provide shelter and assistance as part of their ministry.

Hodges’ dual role as Sheriff and GOP Chair gives his words added weight. As the top lawman, he is charged with enforcing the law. As the county’s Republican leader, he is expected to represent the interests of Tennesseans who believe the rule of law should not be selectively applied to protect business models that rely on illegal labor. His assurance that he does not want to “empty the county” raises uncomfortable questions about whose interests are being prioritized: the citizens who deserve jobs and security, or the businesses that benefit from a steady supply of workers with no legal standing to be here.

For many Tennesseans, the issue boils down to a simple principle. Immigration law exists for a reason. It should not be suspended in practice just because certain industries claim they cannot function without illegal labor. Jobs, wages, safety, and the rule of law all matter. Sheriff Hodges’ remarks suggest that, in Sevier County at least, those priorities may be negotiable.

TruthWire News reached out to Sheriff Hodges through both his official Sheriff’s Office and Sevier County GOP Chair email accounts seeking clarification on these remarks. As of publication, no response has been received.

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