Memphis Mayor Paul Young confirmed on Monday that a security video posted to social media earlier this week depicts federal law enforcement officers wearing civilian clothing as they make multiple arrests at a food truck in Memphis.
Young said in a statement published by the City of Memphis that the law enforcement activity was outside the jurisdiction of the Memphis Police Department, but said that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) told the city, “this action was carried out by federal agents.”
A spokesman for the City of Memphis told The Tennessee Star that all press inquiries about the law enforcement action to HSI, but The Star did not receive a response from the federal agency prior to press time in a response to an inquiry seeking to obtain the names and citizenship status of those who were arrested.
While the agency has yet to release details about the arrest, TACOnganas Memphis, the food truck where the men were arrested, said in a post to Facebook that the arrestees told their employers they are being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The company wrote, “We have heard from the employees. They’ve been told they’re being detained by ICE. We don’t know if the men you see in the video work for ICE or someone else.”
However, the company appeared to suggest it was under the impression the men were in the United States legally, stating that it “complies with federal and local immigration laws.”
The arrests, which Young indicated did not involve Memphis law enforcement, were made after Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation making it a felony offense for lawmakers to “adopt or maintain sanctuary city policies in violation of state law.”
It also granted Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti the power to initiate removal proceedings against those convicted of the offense.
The Star contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE to ask whether it receives cooperation from local authorities in Memphis, but did not receive a response prior to press time.
Watch the full video released by TACOnganas Memphis:
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “TACOnganas Memphis” by TACOnganas Memphis.
DHS and ICE have stated that they will focus on locating, arresting, detaining and deporting criminal aliens first.
However, in sanctuary cities, such as Memphis, ICE is going to arrest any and all illegal aliens that they find…and this would include legal aliens who have criminal histories and can be deported.
It’s basically a stick in the eye to sanctuary cities who want to defy US Federal immigration enforcement officers.
They arrested criminals who came here illegally.
Don’t JUST call them employees.
Excellent, they could stay real busy in Memphis is my guess