A joint operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Tennessee State Troopers led to the arrest of 84 individuals during traffic stops in South Nashville, sparking intense debate over immigration enforcement and public safety. Among those arrested were multiple undocumented immigrants with ties to gang activity, including a Mexican national with previous deportations and felony convictions, confirming ICE’s claim the operation targeted “high-risk individuals.”
Federal Sweep Nets Criminal Offenders
The enforcement action, carried out across roughly 150 traffic stops, focused on Latino neighborhoods where officers uncovered illegal weapons, narcotics, and unlicensed drivers. ICE confirmed that several of those detained had criminal backgrounds and gang affiliations, though the agency did not disclose a specific number of gang-linked arrests.
ICE Field Director Mellissa Harper defended the operation, stating it was “specifically focused on individuals who threaten public safety or national security.” The arrests included a 39-year-old previously deported gang member, signaling a broader crackdown on repeat offenders and dangerous elements within illegal immigrant populations.
BREAKING NEWS:
ICE, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and HSI rounded up busloads of illegals in Nashville overnight.
Who else voted for this? pic.twitter.com/c9DXB2YzDD
— Mila Joy (@MilaLovesJoe) May 5, 2025
Nashville Mayor Condemns, ICE Defends
The raid has triggered a backlash from local politicians and left-leaning advocacy groups. Mayor Freddie O’Connell condemned the operation, accusing ICE of “terrorizing” communities and acting without coordination with city officials. He emphasized that neither the Metro Nashville Police Department nor the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office took part in the action.
Meanwhile, activists and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) blasted the effort as a “sweep” that shattered families and stoked fear. Protesters gathered at the local ICE field office in opposition, attempting to block buses believed to be transporting detainees to a detention center in Louisiana.
Mayor @freddieoconnell on @TNHighwayPatrol + ICE terrorizing immigrant communities this weekend: “State & federal officials coordinated without us… their approach is not our understanding of what a NASHVILLE for all of us looks like.” pic.twitter.com/0kgFIu2Upk
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) May 5, 2025
Public Safety vs. Political Backlash
While critics call the operation heavy-handed, ICE remains firm that its agents are “highly trained professionals” committed to enforcing the law and removing threats from communities. The sweep reflects a broader Trump-era push to prioritize law and order, dismantle gang networks, and reverse open-border policies seen during the Biden years.
Despite protests, ICE has continued operations in the region, signaling zero tolerance for illegal entry tied to criminal behavior. As political tensions flare, federal authorities show no sign of backing down from their mandate to protect U.S. citizens and uphold immigration law.