Image Credit: John Partipilo/Facebook & Freddie O’Connell/Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Nashville continues to be a hub for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities as the federal agency partners with Tennessee law enforcement to facilitate the arrest of illegal aliens throughout Davidson, Rutherford, and Robertson counties.
Thanks to the ongoing operation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has conducted nearly 600 traffic stops, with ICE officers detaining 196 aliens with criminal histories, including convicted sex offenders, murderers, and several members of foreign terrorist gangs like Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the 18th Street Gang.
According to Fox17 reporting, ninety-five of those arrested had prior criminal convictions and pending criminal charges while thirty-one detained had re-entered the U.S. illegally after being previously removed. ICE’s acting field office director for the New Orleans Field Office, Brian Acuna, spoke to the news outlet and reiterated the purpose and legality of ICE to conduct their operations and detentions.
“The American people, through Congress, said that this agency — ICE — is going to enforce federal immigration law in the United States, and that is what we are doing here,” he said. Acuna confirmed that detainees are being transported to an ICE detention center in Louisiana and refuted claims that the traffic stops are a product of racial profiling only being conducted in Latino-heavy neighborhoods.
He also relayed that ICE officers are being followed and even assaulted as they conduct their business. “If they are at a safe distance, they are free to be doing that — they are free to be recording us. They are free to be saying what they want to say, but any kind of action or impeding on the ICE officers or agents is not acceptable, and we are going to take enforcement action if they would be interfering with the actual arrest.”
Mainstream media outlets are also reporting a series of restaurant closures and impacts on local businesses. Some are sharing that staff are not showing up to work while the Nashville Soccer Club has cancelled events, saying some in the organization “don’t feel safe” after several members were recently detained.
Other local businesses have claimed their sales have dropped up to 50% since the THP/ICE operation began.
Fox17 also reported at least two establishments on Broadway in the heart of downtown have Nashville temporarily closed due to lack of staff. “There were rumors flying around about ICE being on Lower Broadway. It was credible enough that we had to close the restaurant because back-of-house staff had to leave. Everyone split,” said one restaurant manager. The reports were unable to confirm the presence of ICE officers in the area but noted a general “sense of fear”.
The drastic decline in these businesses’ operations raise questions as to whether they are suffering because they are either hiring or being mainly patronized by illegals, something to which many have not taken kindly. “Employing or harboring illegals then they should be afraid. Advice = take the deal this administration is offering and come back legally,” read one comment. Another said, “Those businesses shouldn’t have illegally hired people who are not in the country legally and have no right to work here!”
While many citizens and conservative lawmakers continue to applaud the success of this joint operation, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has continually stated his opposition and in retaliation, signed an executive order to track and report interactions with federal immigration authorities. O’Connell also made national news with the creation of a “Belonging Fund” to help illegal aliens live in the city without fear of deportation.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin critiqued O’Connell saying, “You would think all public officials would unite around DHS bringing violent criminal illegal aliens to justice and removing them from American communities. However, pro-open borders politicians—like Mayor O’Connell—would rather protect illegal aliens than American citizens. This operation resulted in getting gang members, sex offenders, and other violent criminals off Nashville’s streets. President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to stand with victims and the brave ICE agents who are on the frontlines making America safe again.”
On social media, Tennessee residents are also calling out the mayor and other Democrat elected officials protesting the ICE activities and prioritizing illegal immigrants over citizens. “This is called treason,” one X user wrote in response to O’Connell’s “Belonging Fund”.
Radio show host Matt Murphy commented, “Criminals are preying on all of Nashville. If MNPD won’t stop it, thanks to THP/ICE for stepping up,” after Democrat State Senator Heidi Campbell claimed ICE actions, “have nothing to do with protecting us- it’s about generating fear and controlling us.”
The Nashville GOP also posted, “When the mayor ties MNPD’s hands, someone has to step up. ICE and THP are doing the job our city refuses to—arresting gang members, seizing weapons, and keeping Nashville safe from criminals.”
Despite the roadblocks and pushback from Democrat lawmakers, other law enforcement agencies in the state seem to be inspired to participate alongside THP and ICE in immigration enforcement efforts. The Tennessee Conservative recently reported Sumner County has joined five other counties across the state in the 287(g) program, allowing their local officers to cooperate with ICE and perform functions like serving civil immigration warrants and utilizing jail enforcement.
Neither ICE or THP have given any indication if or when the operations will cease and acting director Acuna stated the crackdown continues 24/7 in conjunction with federal, state, and local agencies, so Nashville and the surrounding areas will likely continue to see the steady presence of state and federal law enforcement over the coming weeks.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
