A joint immigration enforcement operation in Tennessee has led to the detention of over 100 individuals, igniting widespread concern over racial profiling, community safety, and the erosion of trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.
At a Glance
- 103 people detained in a joint ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol operation
- 588 traffic stops conducted, primarily in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods
- Local officials, including Nashville’s mayor, were not informed beforehand
- Immigrant communities report heightened fear and disrupted daily life
- Community groups launch support initiatives for affected families
Operation Details and Community Impact
Beginning May 3, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in coordination with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), conducted a multiday sweep in the South Nashville area that resulted in 103 arrests. Authorities conducted 588 traffic stops during the operation, targeting individuals for immigration violations and recovering firearms, drugs, and a fugitive wanted for murder in El Salvador.
Despite these outcomes, backlash erupted almost immediately. NewsChannel 5 reported that many detentions occurred during routine commutes, raising alarm within immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. “He said he’s feeling not too good. He’s feeling sad,” said local advocate Gisselle Huerta, translating for a family member of a detained man.
Watch a report: ICE Detentions Made During ‘Public Safety Operation’ – NewsChannel 5.
The sudden and sweeping nature of the operation caught city officials off guard. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell voiced outrage over the lack of transparency, stating, “Our top priority is keeping people safe, and we’re deeply concerned that what appear to be federal actions are making that harder.”
Political and Social Reactions
O’Connell’s concerns were echoed by members of the Metro Council, who criticized the state’s unilateral action without local oversight. “This is a tough one, because what we saw over the weekend was actions… with no coordination with local officials,” O’Connell told reporters. Immigrant advocates described the traffic stops as “racially targeted,” and protesters have since demanded an independent review.
Meanwhile, state leaders defended the operation, pointing to the involvement of a suspect tied to a violent crime abroad. Governor Bill Lee, who recently signed legislation bolstering state cooperation with immigration enforcement, has not publicly addressed the controversy. Critics say the law has enabled policing practices that traumatize immigrant families.
Nashville’s Immigrant Community Response
Nashville is home to thriving Mexican, Honduran, Kurdish, and Somali communities, all of which are now on high alert. Lisa Sherman Luna of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition told the Associated Press, “None of us have ever seen anything like this… All signs point to this being racial profiling intended to terrorize the heart of the immigrant and refugee community.”
In response, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee launched the Belonging Fund to provide housing, legal aid, food, and transportation for families affected by the ICE sweeps. “We want to make sure that the immigrant community in this town knows that we have their back,” said CEO Hal Cato.
As community trauma deepens and political tensions escalate, calls are mounting for clearer oversight and humane enforcement that aligns with Nashville’s values of safety, dignity, and inclusion.
