Nashville Mayor John Cooper released the final report from the Metro Immigration Task Force Friday that analyzed current Metro department practices and provided recommendations for future immigration policies for the city.
Back in October, Cooper withdrew an executive order signed by former Mayor David Briley that said Nashville would not work with ICE. Cooper withdrew the order because the Music City was at risk of losing state funds.
“I have said two things repeatedly about federal immigration enforcement in Nashville: Our city agencies cannot be expected to use its limited resources to do the work of the federal government, and it is my administration’s goal to help build a Nashville that works for everyone. This includes the valued members of our many immigrant communities,” Cooper said in a statement. “My administration will carefully review the task force’s report as we consider policy decisions related to federal immigration enforcement actions moving forward.”
The Friday released report found:
- A limited number of Metro Departments/Offices have received requests from federal immigration authorities.
- A limited number of Metro Departments/Offices have policies or practices governing their responses to requests from federal immigration authorities.
- Metro Departments/Offices do not have policies related to reporting to the Mayor’s Office about communications with federal immigration authorities.
To fix these problems the task force recommended a reporting policy for Metro Government employees except “of the Nashville Electric Service, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metropolitan Sports Authority, Metropolitan Hospital Authority and elected officials.”
Furthermore, the Task Force divided actions into three categories that would warrant using the reporting policy. Each category will have its own reporting protocol.
Communications between federal immigration authorities and the Department/Office pursuant to Department/Office policy or practice:
The task force recommends issuing monthly reports to the Mayor’s office.
Communications between federal immigration authorities and the Department/Office related to modifying Department/Office policy or practice:
The task force thinks Metro Departments should tell Cooper’s office in a timely manner so they can respond to proposed modifications which include “seeking appropriate community input, before the Metro Departments/Offices consent to the modifications.”
Knowing communications between federal immigration authorities and the Department/Office that are not pursuant to Department/Office policy or routine practice:
Metro Departments should report to the Mayor’s office in no less than three business days. Also, the task force recommends having Metro departments to develop internal training consistent with their recommendations.
People who had input on this report were Metro Council members, immigration advocacy groups and local law enforcement.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Battleground State News. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected].
Yawn! So those agencies that deal with illegals daily have to keep their mouths shut. Way to go Mayor. You are a loser for sure.