A frequently asked questions web page for the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) indicates the police force does not report immigration status of criminal offenders to federal police in apparent defiance of a law passed earlier this year.
Governor Bill Lee signed legislation in April that made a one-word change in Tennessee law in order to mandate every law enforcement agency in Tennessee must, “communicate with the appropriate official regarding the immigration status of any individual, including reporting knowledge that a particular alien is not lawfully present in the United States or otherwise cooperate with the appropriate federal official in the identification, apprehension, detention, or removal of aliens not lawfully present in the United States.”
Though the law has been active since July 1, the Police Department Frequently Asked Questions web page explains that MNPD does not cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on matters related to immigration.
“Immigration enforcement remains solely a function of federal law enforcement and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has no authority to investigate or enforce immigration laws. We expect to have no role in that activity,” the web page explains. “Similarly, the MNPD does not make inquiry about immigration status in the course of routine duties, except as described below in U-Visa matters.”
The web page explains that while MNPD does not report immigration status to federal officials, it does work to help victims of crimes receive U-Visas, which allow them to remain in the country while the crime against them is investigated.
In fact, the page explains that MNPD only “occasionally cooperates or assists” ICE on matters related to “the attempted importation of controlled substances and counterfeit goods.”
It further explains that MNPD does not provide immigration notifications to ICE.
“Immigration enforcement remains solely a function of federal law enforcement and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has no authority to investigate or enforce immigration laws. We expect to have no role in that activity. Similarly, the MNPD does not make inquiry about immigration status in the course of routine duties, except as described below in U-Visa matters,” the MNPD web page explains.
A spokesman for Mayor Freddie O’Connell seemingly acknowledged the Metro Police Department’s lack of compliance with Tennessee’s new law in an August interview with The Nashville Banner, with Press Secretary Alex Apple describing the change in the law as an “unfunded mandate” that was not accompanied by new training materials for law enforcement.
Apple reportedly told the outlet that MNPD was “active in their outreach to immigrant communities … to maintain trust amidst the passage of this legislation.”
A second law passed in 2024 requires the Tennessee District Attorneys Conference (DAC) to create a report estimating the number of illegal immigrants involved in crimes throughout Tennessee. While the law does not require law enforcement to provide such information to the conference, the legislation allows district attorneys general to collaborate with local police and sheriffs to file its January 31, 2025 report.
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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 “Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Car” by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Nash PD is too busy making the force 30% women and stupid branding changes to worry about such unimportant things as illegal presence in our city. But they NEED LPRs and FESUS to track you and I.
Yeah, Nashville’s been an unofficial sanctuary city for decades. But then isn’t every Dimocrap ruled town?
Protect and Serve??? We need a new Chief of Police and not someone who checks a box. Add to that a new Republican Mayor and we may actually make Nashville safer. Freddie is a do nothing……
And those refusing to support the law should go to prison. Easy peasy.