In a sweeping operation that has shaken the Nashville community, federal immigration enforcement agents have detained dozens of Hispanic residents following a series of traffic stops conducted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) over the weekend. The operation, which began on the night of May 3, 2025, has raised serious concerns about racial profiling and the implications of such aggressive immigration tactics.
According to reports, around 10 p.m. on Saturday, a Nashville woman was stopped by THP while turning into her apartment complex off Bell Road. Although the state trooper did not issue any citations, he handed her over to federal immigration enforcement agents who were following in unmarked vehicles. Her daughter, Andrea, recounted the harrowing experience of searching for her mother throughout the night. “We were up refreshing and waiting for the bookings to update to see if she was in the database,” Andrea said, speaking to the Banner under the condition of withholding her full name.
By 7 a.m. Sunday, Andrea was informed by a county employee that her mother was not in jail, prompting further panic. “They told us that all of the people who were arrested for the night had been processed in the system, so she was not there,” Andrea recalled. It wasn’t until later that she learned her mother had been detained by ICE since the moment she was stopped.
During the operation, THP reportedly conducted approximately 150 traffic stops in South Nashville, resulting in at least 84 arrests, according to ICE officials on May 6. Many local residents have expressed outrage and fear over the raids, questioning the motivations behind the traffic stops. Andrea voiced her concerns, stating, “You could spot her from a mile away and be like, ‘Yeah, that’s a Hispanic woman.’” She accused THP of “shooting fish in a barrel” by targeting individuals who appeared Hispanic.
In response to the allegations of racial profiling, a THP spokesperson stated that all stops were made following observations of traffic violations in accordance with Tennessee law, insisting they were not aware of any stops made outside of those standards.
As the community grappled with the implications of these detentions, protests erupted outside the Nashville ICE field office. Many families, like Andrea’s, found themselves in a state of uncertainty and fear. Andrea described her mother as a middle-aged chef who “doesn’t cause any problems,” highlighting the disconnect between the Trump administration’s narrative of targeting dangerous criminals and the reality of the individuals being detained.
“I feel like everyone was just lulled into a false sense of security at first, because it was ‘just felons,’ or something like that,” Andrea said, reflecting on the shock of her mother’s detainment. “So she was under the impression that she would be OK, and then it happened.”
As word spread about the ICE actions, local businesses reported a significant drop in customer traffic. A shopkeeper on Nolensville Pike estimated a 40 percent decrease in shoppers since the detentions began, with many customers expressing fear and opting to stay home. “All Hispanic people are afraid, myself included,” she said, despite being legally in the country under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). She reflected on the anxiety surrounding her status, fearing that it could be revoked at any moment.
Meanwhile, families affected by the detentions are struggling to cope with the aftermath. One mother, whose daughter’s boyfriend was detained, voiced her concerns about how the situation has disrupted their lives. “It’s just so sad,” she said, worried about her daughter’s ability to pay rent now that her boyfriend, who usually contributed, is in custody.
In the midst of the chaos, Andrea has taken on the responsibility of coordinating her family’s response, connecting with community organizations and an immigration attorney. “This community raised me. This community brought me up,” she emphasized, noting the solidarity among families facing similar challenges. The community has rallied together, raising $2,400 through social media to aid her mother’s legal case.
Despite the fear permeating the community, there’s a sense of resilience. Andrea described how detainees are supporting each other from within the detention center, sharing updates and resources. “I think they’re all trying their best to support each other throughout, so that’s a good thing,” she said.
As the situation continues to unfold, the fear and uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement actions have fundamentally altered the lives of many residents. Andrea urged others to prepare for the worst-case scenario, encouraging families to create plans for potential detentions. “We’re all getting in contact with each other, checking on each other, seeing what each other needs,” she stated, highlighting the importance of community support during these trying times.
The impact of these detentions extends beyond individual families, reverberating throughout the entire community. Andrea poignantly summed up the situation, saying, “One person affects an entire web of people, an entire community.” As Nashville grapples with the realities of immigration enforcement, the voices of those affected continue to resonate, urging for change and understanding.
