Tennessee Republican leaders are firmly advocating a "law and order" approach following a series of traffic stops and detentions of immigrants in Nashville that began over the weekend. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed on May 6, 2025, that 84 individuals without permanent legal status were arrested in Nashville since Saturday, May 3, 2025. Among those detained were an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang, a person with a drug possession conviction, and individuals with serious felony charges, including domestic assault and sex with a minor. However, details regarding the remaining 80 detainees have not been disclosed.
Despite public uproar and accusations of a “dragnet” operation targeting immigrants, Tennessee's Republican leaders are supporting the enforcement actions that involved numerous traffic stops in South Nashville. The Tennessee House Republican Caucus issued a statement asserting, "Tennessee will have zero tolerance for those who prove to be a threat to public safety, whether here legally or illegally." This reflects a broader legislative agenda that empowers local law enforcement to collaborate with federal authorities on immigration enforcement.
In 2024, the General Assembly authorized the creation of a Centralized Immigration Enforcement Bureau, which has an estimated budget of $6 million and is designed to facilitate cooperation between state and federal immigration enforcement agencies. The bureau is expected to employ six to seven staff members and provide grants to local law enforcement to enhance their immigration enforcement capabilities.
In the wake of the weekend's arrests, Davidson County lawmakers and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell have sought further information from federal officials. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) reported conducting around 150 traffic stops early on Sunday, May 4, 2025, claiming the operation was aimed at enhancing public safety in areas known for gang activity and serious traffic incidents. However, this characterization has been challenged by local lawmakers who argue that the operation was marked by ethnic and racial profiling.
O’Connell expressed concern regarding the rising tensions between local and state authorities, emphasizing that these enforcement actions complicate the relationship between them. He stated, "This seems like a moment of significant tension increase between local and state."
On the ground, the impact of these raids has been profound for many Nashville families. Less than 48 hours after the ICE arrests began, Ingrid Martínez's mother was taken into custody. "I didn’t know that after five minutes of barely being with her, I wasn’t going to be able to see her anymore," Martínez shared, highlighting the emotional toll of the operation. Her mother is among nearly 100 individuals detained in the recent crackdown, which has drawn protests from families and immigrant rights activists.
Activists, including Alan King from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), have described the aftermath of the raids as akin to responding to a "mass casualty event or a natural disaster." King expressed frustration over the lack of communication from ICE regarding the conditions faced by detainees, stating that individuals are being pressured to sign away their rights while in deplorable conditions. Reports have surfaced of detainees packed into rooms with inadequate facilities, raising serious concerns about their treatment.
Mayor O’Connell has condemned the ICE raids but noted that a sweeping immigration law passed earlier this year limits his office's ability to intervene effectively. TIRRC's Executive Director, Lisa Sherman Luna, has called the operation unprecedented in her decade of advocacy work, noting that children have been left in cars while their parents were detained.
The operation has led to a total of nearly 500 traffic stops since it began, with 94 arrests made by ICE agents for individuals unable to provide proof of legal status. Among those detained were individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including a member of Tren de Aragua and a convicted child sex predator. Governor Bill Lee has defended the enforcement actions, stating that they are necessary to remove dangerous individuals from the community.
However, TIRRC and other immigrant rights groups argue that the disproportionate number of arrests does not justify the operation's scope. They claim that the focus on Hispanic and Latino communities reflects a troubling pattern of racial profiling. Luna has stated, "Fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors are all languishing in immigration detention centers because of the color of their skin."
The coalition is actively working to reunite families separated by the raids and ensuring that those detained have access to legal representation. They have received nearly 800 calls for assistance from concerned community members since the operation began, indicating the widespread fear and uncertainty that has gripped Nashville's immigrant community.
As the situation continues to unfold, TIRRC is urging community members to educate themselves about their rights and to seek legal help if they or their loved ones are affected by these enforcement actions. The coalition is also seeking to pressure Governor Lee and THP to reconsider their collaboration with ICE, emphasizing that the lack of due process and potential violations of constitutional rights should alarm all Tennesseans.
This crackdown on immigrants in Nashville has sparked a significant backlash, with families and activists rallying to demand accountability and justice for those detained. As the state navigates these contentious issues, the impact on the local immigrant community remains profound and deeply felt.
