13-05-2025
ICE says nearly 200 immigrants arrested in Nashville during recent operations
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement New Orleans Field Office announced a weeklong operation resulted in the arrest of 196 immigrants in Nashville.
In a news release May 13, the agency said some had significant criminal histories.
ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams said the operation focused on identifying those with criminal histories. He did not name any of those arrested.
More: THP says ICE operation ongoing, over 350 stopped for traffic violations
'This enforcement effort underscores ICE's unwavering commitment to public safety and the rule of law. Our officers are focused on identifying and removing individuals who pose a threat to the safety and security of Tennessee residents,' said acting Enforcement and Removal Operations New Orleans Field Office Director Brian Acuna. 'During the operation I witnessed the men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol carry out significant public safety efforts. The New Orleans Field Office is grateful for their support."
On May 8, the Tennessee Highway Patrol announced it made 468 traffic stops in an ongoing joint operation with ICE agents.
Williams said of the 196 arrested, 95 had prior criminal convictions or pending criminal charges. Thirty-one of those arrested were previously removed immigrants who reentered the United States illegally, the release stated.
ICE released limited information on seven of 196 arrested. They did not provide the name of anyone. The agency stated a Venezuelan national and an El Salvadorian national were affiliated with gangs. A Mexican national had been previously removed from the U.S. six times and convicted of felony domestic assault and sex with a minor. An Iraqi national had been convicted of rape.
Williams said individuals with final orders of removal who returned to the country illegally after being previously deported are subject to immediate removal from the country.
The remaining individuals are in ICE custody awaiting a court hearing before an immigration judge or travel plans for removal.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@ and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: ICE says nearly 200 arrested in Nashville during recent operations
