Department Of Homeland Security Designates Nashville & Shelby County As “Sanctuary Jurisdictions”

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

As Nashville continues to see national attention amidst pushback by local government officials against immigration enforcement efforts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now placed the city on a registry of what they are calling “Sanctuary Jurisdictions” deemed to be deliberately obstructing immigration enforcement and putting Americans at risk.

On May 29, the DHS released a comprehensive list of “Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law” which they state “undermine the rule of law and endanger the lives of Americans and Law Enforcement.”

The list is a result of Executive Order (EO) 14287 which requires the publishing of a list of states and local jurisdictions, including cities and counties, “that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws, endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.” 

According to DHS, a jurisdiction’s appearance on the list is determined by factors like legal protections for illegal aliens, information restrictions, and compliance with federal law enforcement. Both the city of Nashville and Shelby County, which houses the city of Memphis, made the list for Tennessee.

Any jurisdiction on the list will receive a formal notification of its non-compliance with federal statutes, and the DHS “demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, who is spearheading a congressional investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s actions, including doxxing immigration enforcement officers, reacted to the list on X.

“Thanks to OBSTRUCTIONIST Mayor Freddie O’Connell, Nashville has been listed by DHS as a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction.’ He is standing in the way of local and federal law enforcement to aid and abet the illegal alien rapists and murderers who are wreaking havoc on the city,” he wrote. 

Senator Marsha Blackburn has also sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi requesting her office investigate O’Connell.

She specifically asks the AG to determine if the mayor “willfully obstructed ICE and HIS enforcement operations,” if he “aided or abetted, or facilitated in any way, illegal immigration or the evasion of detection”, and if the mayor’s actions “contributed to Nashville’s status as a sanctuary city.”

O’Connell himself has remained silent about the doxxing allegations, with his office initially claiming the released information, which included intel on how local agencies were coordinating with federal authorities, was in the interest of “transparency”, though the office later stated that publishing the names of the officers was a “mistake” and has since quietly removed them from the publicly available government website.

The mayor has also publicly stated he is unconcerned about any potential charges and questions the DHS’ method for determining the sanctuary jurisdiction label.

“I’m puzzled about what criteria they used to include Nashville,” O’Connell said. “We are not and never have been a sanctuary city. If you look at the state law that defines a sanctuary city policy, there are six factors, and we do not and have not ever had a policy that violates any of those factors. Metro does not have any legal authority as it relates to immigration enforcement, and we do not impede federal law enforcement actions.” 

But State Representative Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77) disagrees, believing it’s “a slap in the face” to have local officials subverting federal law.

“When you have a mayor who’s gone rogue, that’s a problem. Anytime you have someone that’s helping a group of people break the law, that’s a problem, and I’m concerned when DHS has to come in and say, ‘You know what, Tennessee, you’ve got two counties that are breaking the law.’ That’s an embarrassment and that’s a shame,” Grills said.

Similarly to O’Connell, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has rejected the new DHS classification, calling it a “cliché label” and proclaiming Shelby “is proud to be the most diverse county in Tennessee.”

He went on to claim, “Trump’s orders have led to widespread fear in our immigrant communities, due process rights being flouted, and even our churches having to end in person services out of concern for the safety of their congregation.”

Meanwhile, State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis- District 31) called the DHS designation, “completely unacceptable, and I will be doing everything in my power as Shelby County’s state Senator to bring the full weight of state government to determine who in county government is obstructing federal authorities and to make sure Shelby County  complies with federal authorities.”

Taylor announced he has already sent a letter to border czar Tom Homan asking for greater attention on Memphis and reiterated the import of legislation he passed last year requiring local authorities to report to ICE when an illegal alien is arrested.

“Local officials must do all they can to help us tackle our crime problem. The federal government is more than adequately motivated to help us remove criminal illegal aliens from our community,” Taylor concluded.  

It is unlikely the DHS’ new-found focus on Tennessee will dissipate, as Tom Homan recently pledged to “flood the zone” with additional multi-agency operations to ensure illegal aliens in the state are arrested and residents can reclaim their communities. 

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.