U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) carried out an operation on Sunday that led to arrests and the seizure of illegal drugs and weapons.
The news of this operation first came from the Tennessee Immigrants and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC). It said these two law enforcement agencies arrested “community members” in South Nashville. TIRRC estimated that at least 20 people were affected.
Lisa Sherman Luna, TIRRC’s executive director, said, “Arbitrarily rounding up parents on their way home and workers traveling to their jobs does not make Nashville safer or stronger. Instead it shatters families, erodes trust in law enforcement, and leads to fear, trauma and isolation that weakens the collective fabric of our community.”
She called this operation another example of ICE’s “cruelty and abuse of power” that will have a “devastating impact on families throughout Nashville and beyond.”
Luna added that this law enforcement activity reeked of “racial profiling and unconstitutional discrimination.”
The executive director stated that the Trump administration and Tennessee law enforcement agencies are ramping up “cruel and extreme immigration enforcement tactics.”
Luna explained that people are on the ground supporting the families impacted by this operation.
“At this moment, our highest priority is ensuring that every person impacted has their fair day in court and that families can be reunited as soon as possible,” she explained.
Luna’s statement regarding this situation leaves out important information.
THP told WKRN that around 150 traffic stops were conducted due to law violations. Some drivers were found not to have proper licences or identification, which was handled by federal law enforcement.
THP also added that several arrests were made for people on outstanding warrants, including people suspected of having gang affiliation. It also said the operation allowed law enforcement to seize illegal guns and drugs.
Melissa Harper, the field office director for Enforcement and Removal Operations New Orleans, told the news outlet that ICE “will continue to work” with law enforcement agencies to keep “communities secure and uphold the rule of law.”
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
dem protests coming. they love illegals!