Nashville Immigration Raids: Fear and Questions Arise After Joint Operation

Nashville Immigration Raids Spark Fear and Controversy Nashville, TN – A recent joint operation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked controversy and fear within the Nashville community. The operation, which took place over a week in late May 2025, involved THP officers conducting traffic stops, with ICE agents present to make immigration arrests. Videos recorded by volunteers with The Remix Tennessee, an immigrant advocacy organization, show THP officers pulling over vehicles, often followed by ICE agents taking individuals into custody. One volunteer, Gisselle Huerta, stated, “People are scared. They’re taking anybody.” The THP claims the operation focused solely on enforcing Tennessee traffic laws. However, the sheer number of immigration arrests—nearly 200 out of 660 traffic stops—raises questions about the true nature of the collaboration. Further fueling concerns, approximately half of those arrested had no prior or pending criminal charges. Ana, an undocumented immigrant whose fiancé was arrested and sent to a Louisiana detention facility during this operation, shared her experience. She explained, “So when he pulls us over, I ask him, ‘Why are you pulling us over?’ And all he says is, ‘Your tints are too dark.’ He didn’t ask us for IDs. Nothing—all he said was, ‘Turn off the car.’”, highlighting the lack of transparency and due process. The Tennessee governor defended the partnership with ICE, stating it was an effort to remove criminals from the streets. ICE also declared the operation a success. However, the disproportionate number of immigration arrests and the accounts of those affected cast doubt on these claims and raise serious questions about the balance between public safety and civil liberties. The incident underscores the complex and sensitive issue of immigration enforcement and its impact on local communities. It also raises questions about the cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies in such operations.