ICE and Tennessee State Troopers successfully removed 84 illegal immigrants with criminal histories from Nashville streets, despite liberal outcries of “terrorizing” the community.
Key Takeaways
- ICE agents, in collaboration with Tennessee State Troopers, conducted 150 traffic stops in Nashville resulting in 84 illegal immigrant arrests, many with significant criminal backgrounds
- The operation uncovered individuals operating vehicles without valid licenses, possessing illegal substances and firearms, with some having gang affiliations
- Nashville’s liberal Mayor Freddie O’Connell accused ICE of “terrorizing” the community, despite the operation specifically targeting public safety threats
- ICE officials emphasized their focus on removing individuals who pose threats to national security and public safety, not random community members
Nashville Enforcement Operation Targets Criminal Aliens
A coordinated effort between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Tennessee Highway Patrol has successfully removed dozens of criminal aliens from Nashville streets. The operation, which included approximately 150 traffic stops in South Nashville, resulted in the arrest of 84 illegal immigrants, many with significant criminal histories and outstanding deportation orders. The enforcement action specifically targeted areas known for high traffic accidents and gang activity, addressing both traffic safety concerns and criminal threats posed by illegal aliens within the community.
Among those detained was a dangerous gang member and a 39-year-old Mexican national with multiple prior deportations and felony convictions. The operation also resulted in the seizure of illegal firearms and drugs, demonstrating the serious public safety threats these individuals posed to the Nashville community. Despite claims from activist groups that the operation was “random” or based on racial profiling, evidence shows this was a carefully planned enforcement action targeting specific criminal elements.
Liberal Mayor Claims ICE “Terrorizing” Community
Nashville’s liberal mayor Freddie O’Connell has sparked controversy by accusing federal immigration authorities of “terrorizing” residents during the enforcement operation. This rhetoric directly contradicts the stated mission of ICE, which focuses specifically on removing individuals who pose legitimate threats to community safety. The mayor’s inflammatory comments fail to acknowledge the criminal histories of those arrested or the weapons and drugs recovered during the operation, instead prioritizing the interests of illegal immigrants over the safety concerns of law-abiding Nashville residents.
“Protecting the safety and security of our communities remains a top priority for ICE.” said Lindsay Williams
O’Connell’s primary complaint centered around the lack of coordination with local officials, stating: “The trauma inflicted on families is long-lasting, and I’m doing everything in my power consistent with applicable law to protect anyone who calls Nashville home.” This statement completely ignores the trauma inflicted on American citizens and legal residents victimized by criminal aliens who should never have been in the country in the first place. Metro Nashville Police Department and Davidson County Sheriff’s Office notably did not participate in the operation.
ICE Reinforces Focus on Public Safety
Immigration officials have strongly defended their enforcement actions by emphasizing their strategic approach to removing dangerous individuals. Contrary to activist claims, ICE maintains that operations like the one in Nashville specifically target those who pose actual threats to the community, not random residents or families. The evidence supports this claim, with multiple arrests of individuals with serious criminal backgrounds who had already been ordered deported from the United States.
“Protecting the safety and security of our communities remains a top priority for ICE. As part of our ongoing mission to uphold U.S. immigration laws, our targeted enforcement operations are specifically focused on individuals who threaten public safety or national security. These efforts help ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe and that immigration laws are enforced.” said New Orleans Field Office Director Mellissa Harper
The operation continued through the week with additional enforcement actions on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Many of those arrested were transported to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana to await deportation proceedings. Despite protests from activist groups attempting to block buses transporting detainees, federal authorities successfully completed their mission of removing these public safety threats from Nashville’s streets, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated immigration enforcement when properly executed.
