Over 100 Arrested on Tennessee Roads as Authorities Back Trump’s Deportation Plan – What You Need to Know

Nashville, Tennessee — A recent operation led to over 100 arrests by federal immigration officials in partnership with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The crackdown has left many in Nashville’s immigrant community anxious and unsettled.

“None of us have seen anything like this before,” said Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.

This operation serves as a stark reminder of the collaboration between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the current political climate. Similar actions have occurred in states like Florida, where officials reported over 1,120 immigration arrests in a recent joint operation.

In Tennessee, the Highway Patrol conducted 588 stops, which led to the detention of 103 individuals under suspicion of immigration violations. They stated these stops contributed to the seizure of illegal drugs and firearms, dubbing this operation a step toward making Tennessee safer. One of those detained was wanted for a homicide in El Salvador.

On the local political front, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recently established a dedicated immigration enforcement division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. This move aligns with other Republican leaders who are committed to enforcing tougher immigration controls.

However, city officials in Nashville, known for its Democratic stance, have distanced themselves from the operation. Nashville Law Director Wally Dietz mentioned that the city government was caught off guard by the state-federal initiative that started on May 3.

Dietz acknowledged concerns regarding police presence outside an ICE office, explaining that the city frequently handles requests for extra patrols. He noted that he was unaware of the identities of those detained, stating that any additional information would require a public records request.

The Highway Patrol maintains that their stops are based strictly on driving behavior, not on the identity of the individual. However, immigrant rights advocates argue that these stops disproportionately target neighborhoods with significant populations of people of color.

“This feels like racial profiling aimed at instilling fear within the immigrant community,” said Sherman Luna. Reports suggest that stops are often initiated for minor infractions, such as a broken taillight.

Additionally, Sherman Luna emphasized the need for competent legal representation, arguing that many detainees might successfully contest their deportation if given proper legal help. Currently, many fear lengthy detentions and choose to accept deportation instead.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, immigrants make up about 9% of Nashville’s population of around 2 million. Many hail from Mexico and Honduras, with a substantial Kurdish community and refugees from Sudan and Myanmar also residing in the area.

“This strategy is designed to instill fear in our diverse and vibrant neighborhoods,” Sherman Luna concluded. Ensuring the safety and security of all residents, regardless of their immigration status, remains a critical conversation in Nashville and beyond.

For more information on the ongoing developments in immigration policy, you can visit the Migration Policy Institute.

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