A raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Nashville’s immigrant corridor has increased tension between city and state officials.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell has decried the wide-scale arrests of South Nashville drivers Saturday night. However, the mayor’s office is limited in how it can respond since state lawmakers have curbed the power of local officials to interfere with immigration enforcement.
Under a sweeping state law passed earlier this year, any local official who votes in favor of so-called “sanctuary policies” for immigrants could be removed from office and charged with a Class E felony.
Starting in July, the law will give state and local entities involved in immigration enforcement greater ability to shield records from the public.
O’Connell said he’s spoken with Gov. Bill Lee about his concerns as his office seeks the names and charges of those arrested.
“I flagged that this seems like a moment of significant tension increase between local and state,” O’Connell said. “(Lee) is … I would say, aware of the complicated landscape.”
Metro Law Director Wally Dietz said Monday that he is still working on a response to the immigration law.
“Tennessee has a long track record of stepping up to secure our Nation’s borders and strengthen public safety,” Gov. Bill Lee’s office said in an email to WPLN News. “President Trump made it clear that states would play a major role in enforcing immigration laws and removing the most violent offenders, and Americans overwhelmingly elected him to do so.”
O’Connell said it’s already hard to demand transparency from ICE officials, citing anecdotal reports that its Nashville facility has kept people in inhumane conditions.
“It is not a local operation, and it’s a very difficult place for us to be able to make any guarantees about the conditions inside,” O’Connell said.
The governor’s office and Nashville’s ICE office did not comment on the conditions of the facility.
While O’Connell cannot institute official sanctuary policies, the mayor announced a partnership with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to assist the families of those detained. The newly minted Belonging Fund will go towards emergency assistance for childcare, housing instability, transportation and other needs.
“Belonging is more than a feeling — it’s a sign of safety, stability, and community,” said Hal Cato, CEO of CFMT. “When immigrant families face a crisis, we want to ensure they’re not alone. This fund helps organizations on the ground respond quickly, compassionately, and effectively.”
To help seed the new fund, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Conexion American and Tennessee Justice For Our Neighbors have committed more than $30,000 as initial contributors.
The fund is not intended to cover legal fees.
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