Numerous Illegal Aliens Arrested In Nashville During Dual-Agency Action 

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

In the early hours on Sunday, May 4, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) in conjunction with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a traffic stop of over 150 vehicles in areas the departments said have a history of gang activity and serious traffic crashes, arresting many and confiscating weapons and drugs. 

The exact number of detainees is unknown as of this writing, but different news outlets have put the numbers somewhere between 40 to 100. Reportedly, the federal agents handled immigration-related matters, including the drivers without valid licenses or identification, while THP made some arrests for outstanding warrants and seized illegal guns and drugs from those with suspected gang affiliations.

The arrests have predictably drawn protest from immigrant rights activists and organizations, culminating in a demonstration outside the Nashville ICE office later on Sunday after those arrested were bussed to an ICE field office or federal immigration detention center in Louisiana. 

The executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Lisa Sherman Luna, said operations like these “shatter families” while creating “fear and trauma”. “This is yet another unconscionable act of cruelty and abuse of power by ICE collaborating with state law enforcement that will have a devastating impact on families throughout Nashville and beyond,” she stated. 

Elected officials have also chimed in on the matter, with Tennessee Democrat Representative Aftyn Behn saying the operation “could only be described as a dragnet” in a press release.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connor posted to social media, clarifying that no Metro Nashville Police Department personnel were involved in the operation and stating, “This type of federal enforcement action is not focused on making us safer and leaves people in our community fearing any interaction with law enforcement when there is a crime occurring. We will be seeking the names of those detained.”

Meanwhile, while not commenting directly on the Nashville operation, Melissa Harper, Enforcement and Removal Operations New Orleans Field Office Director, said, “Protecting the safety and security of our communities remains a top priority for ICE.  As part of our ongoing mission to uphold U.S. immigration laws, our targeted enforcement operations are specifically focused on individuals who threaten public safety or national security. These efforts help ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe and that immigration laws are enforced.”

This inter-agency cooperation in Nashville comes on the heels of Operation Tidal Wave in Florida, the “first-of-its-kind, multiagency immigration enforcement operation under the 287(g) program, coordinated by ICE with state and federal partners.” From April 21-26, 2025, ICE, along with law enforcement partners from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the state of Florida, with the full support of Gov. Ron DeSantis, partnered to arrest over 1,100 illegal aliens across the state, with 63% of those detained having an existing criminal arrests or convictions, per ICE. 

Of those arrested, 378 of the illegals had final orders of removal issued by immigration judges, and officers captured various violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives, and public safety threats. ICE also states that the arrests included members of several foreign terrorist organizations like MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Brown Pride Aztecas, Barrio Azteca, Surenos (sur-13), and the 18^th Street Gang. 

During Governor Bill Lee’s special session of the legislature earlier in the year, Tennessee lawmakers passed an immigration omnibus bill creating the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division as a liaison with the Trump administration and encouraging law enforcement agencies to participate with the 287(g) program which allows local sheriff deputies and police to enforce federal immigration laws, including the criminalizing of state public officials who vote in favor of sanctuary city policies. 

If utilized to its full potential, this new law could lead to many more campaigns in Tennessee like the one in Nashville on Sunday or even larger-scale operations like Florida’s Tidal Wave. 

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.