08-05-2025
Immigrant community on alert amid reports of ICE activity in Nashville and beyond
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — While the arrests involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Tennessee Highway Patrol's 'public safety operation' occurred mostly in South Nashville and Antioch, immigrant advocacy organizations said they are also keeping an eye on incoming reports of ICE activity across the region.
News 2 checked with law enforcement agencies in several counties surrounding Davidson County. The Franklin Police Department, the La Vergne Police Department, and the Gallatin Police Department have said they're not aware of any ICE activity in their respective areas, but the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, the Sumner County Sheriff's Office, and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office have yet to respond.
According to THP's statement from Wednesday, May 7, their operation with ICE has resulted in 369 traffic stops, where ICE detained a total of 94 individuals, including a convicted child sex predator and a known Tren de Aragua gang member.
However, ICE told News 2 on Tuesday, May 6 that 84 people were arrested.
Nashville releases timeline of ICE activity across city
The ReMIX, an immigrant rights organization, they believe the 'public safety operation' is intentionally targeting predominantly Latino neighborhoods.
'They don't have names of people. They're just literally pulling people over 'randomly,' but people who look a certain way — who are Brown — and racially profiling…We've talked to family members who don't know where their husbands are, their uncles, their wives, so yeah, it's horrible,' said Molly, a concerned citizen with The ReMIX.
On Wednesday, the director of law for the Metro Nashville government, Wally Dietz, said he sent a letter to three ICE field offices requesting the identities of those who were taken into custody, their charges, and their locations.
News 2 asked the Tennessee Immigrant Rights and Refugee Coalition (TIRRC) if they were aware of anymore ICE activity outside of the Nashville area. TIRRC sent the following response:
We know that immigration enforcement operations have been ongoing. We have received additional reports in Nashville and beyond and our legal team's priority is to ensure all families impacted have their fair day in court and are reunited with family members as soon as possible.
Tennessee advocates demand ICE release the names of those detained
The ReMIX is offering virtual family liaison training from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 to help support Nashville families impacted by the recent ICE operation. In addition, the organization encourages people to attend a 'Know Your Rights' training event on Saturday, May 10.
'These are amazing people who are part of our community. They're our friends, they're family members, and we are not safer because Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE are out here snatching people off the streets. It makes all of us less safe and tearing apart communities and families,' said Molly.
The ReMIX is also holding a candlelight vigil for those arrested and detained by ICE at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Glencliff High School. City leaders are set to attend.
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