Image Credit: @USMarshalsHQ / X
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Between an increase in immigration enforcement actions by the Trump administration and the sustained efforts of the Memphis Safe Task Force, law enforcement operations across Tennessee continue to yield encouraging results as more illegal aliens are detained, missing children are recovered, gang members are taken off the streets, and a legal injunction contesting the National Guard has been temporarily denied.
In Davidson County, records obtained by The Nashville Banner show that while the number of illegal aliens detained in Nashville under Trump vs. Biden is not significantly different, the number actually picked up by ICE for deportation has notably increased.
According to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), when a person is arrested in the county the booking system automatically sends their information to ICE, NCIC, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
At that juncture ICE officials can make a detainer request, asking local officials to hold the alien in custody for up to 48 hours beyond when they would ordinarily release the individual, allowing immigration agents to take them into custody.
Under the Trump administration, this type of enforcement activity has increased in both scale and scope. Between Jan. 20 and Oct. 27 of 2024, DCSO received 466 detainer requests from ICE under then-President Biden. During the same time frame this year under President Trump detainer requests were made for 486 individuals.
But the more considerable change is in the number of people ICE agents are actually taking into custody for deportation proceedings following the detainer requests. Since Trump took office, ICE has picked up 365 aliens from Nashville jails compared to 259 under Biden during the same period last year.
The data from the Sheriff’s Office aligns with a recent report from the Deportation Data Project stating ICE detainer requests have increased by almost 32% in Davidson County and over 86% in Tennessee as a whole since last year.
The Volunteer State currently sits at number two in the nation for the number of illegals picked up from state jails by ICE per capita, behind only Texas.
Regarding the results of the Memphis Safe Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service, which is spearheading the collaboration of over a dozen law enforcement agencies, reported that as of Oct. 29, the task force has made over 1,700 arrests. That number includes the arrests of 126 known gang members, 10 homicide suspects, 179 related to narcotics, and 154 firearms arrests.
The agency also announced the recovery of another missing child, bringing the rescue total up to 84. Per the media release, since the creation of the task force on Oct. 1st, 143 juveniles have been reported as missing in Shelby County, and several of these children have been located out of state.
A Memphis city dashboard indicates that “serious” crime is down roughly 46% since Sept. 1, 2025. This is an especially notable improvement as Memphis was ranked the most violent city in America per capita earlier this year.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the task force’s successes and thanked the city’s leadership for their cooperation.
“Tolerating crime is a choice. Under President Trump, we choose law and order: residents of our cities do not have to live in fear of violent crime,” Bondi said. “Our federal surge into Memphis has put gang members behind bars, rescued dozens of children, and proven that collaboration between federal and local law enforcement can quickly make American cities safe again. I am grateful to all of our partners, especially Memphis leadership, for working closely alongside our agents.”
But despite the AG’s commendation for the task force, a handful of Democrat elected officials, including Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, have sued state leaders over the deployment of the National Guard, claiming it violates the Tennessee constitution and state law.
The plaintiffs asked for an emergency injunction or restraining order halting the Guard, but Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal denied the request as she determined “immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage” was not shown. But despite the initial denial, Moskal set a Nov. 3 hearing for the motion to determine the merits of a temporary injunction.
She also ruled that the lawsuit will not be fast-tracked as requested by the State Attorney General. The AG filed three motions on behalf of the defense, but all were denied by Moskal.
One sought to expedite a trial in the case, another asked for an expedited hearing on the first motion, and the third asked for the hearing on the injunction to be delayed.
This makes the next legal step the Nov. 3 hearing where evidence will be presented from both sides via affidavits.
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.
One Response
Good!