ICE Operations Lead To Arrests In Three Counties Across Upper Cumberland

Image Credit: @putnamsheriffTN / X

Tennessee Conservative News [By Paula Gomes] –

Recent Arrests In Three Counties Are The Result Of U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement Across The Upper Cumberland.

Cookeville, Crossville, and McMinnville have seen ICE agents locating and arresting illegal aliens who are not only undocumented but have significant criminal history.

In Putnam County, Sheriff Eddie Farris is reassuring the local migrant community that neither ICE nor his department is seeking out individuals based solely on their undocumented status and said that residents should feel free to go to school, seek medical attention, and otherwise go about their business. Farris even went so far as to say that he would intervene should he hear that ICE was acting in an unlawful manner or mistreating individuals.

Farris stated that ICE was in town looking for illegal aliens with outstanding warrants and expected them to move on quickly after effectively executing them.

As far as local deputies, Farris said that they are not seeking out illegal aliens who are otherwise abiding by the law and that his department does not have the authority to detain someone based on their immigration status alone.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office does maintain regular communication with the federal agency and utilizes a jail model to hold federal inmates, and check their legal status along with their criminal background.

According to Farris, those being targeted by ICE have entered the United States and then left, multiple times, or have been arrested on serious charges.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.