NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Metro Nashville has revised its public report on immigration-related interactions between local police and federal agencies following criticism from Republican lawmakers who said the original document endangered federal law enforcement officers.
The report, initially released earlier this month, detailed 35 incidents involving Metro Police and federal immigration officials, including the names of several individuals — among them a Metro Council member, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) analyst, and officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As of Thursday, May 29, all names have been removed from the public version.
The revision came after state and federal Republican leaders voiced concerns that publicly naming agents and officials jeopardized their safety. State Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) was among the most vocal critics. He condemned Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s executive order requiring Metro to document and publish ICE interactions, accusing the mayor of putting federal agents at risk.
“Freddie O’Connell is using taxpayer resources to endanger DHS and HSI officials,” Garrett stated on the social media platform X. He further accused the mayor of acting out of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and called for accountability.
U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) joined Garrett in calling for investigations into Mayor O’Connell’s conduct and the city’s handling of federal funds in relation to immigration enforcement. Ogles confirmed earlier this week that Homeland Security and Judiciary committees plan to examine the issue closely.
Other Tennessee Republicans, including State Representative Lee Reeves (R-Franklin), have expressed concerns about potential violations of state sanctuary city laws, urging a thorough review of the mayor’s executive order.
Reeves noted the broader impact on surrounding communities, saying, “What happens in Nashville doesn’t stay in Nashville. It bleeds over into other communities,” citing nearby cities such as Brentwood and Franklin.
The controversy intensified after Homeland Security issued a list naming Nashville among “sanctuary jurisdictions” accused of deliberately obstructing federal immigration enforcement and endangering American citizens. The department demanded that jurisdictions on the list revise their policies to comply with federal law and reaffirm their commitment to public safety.
In response, Republican lawmakers have increasingly called for Mayor O’Connell’s resignation, asserting that public safety should transcend political affiliations.
“Nashvillians should be irate,” Garrett said. “I think folks in Nashville should be calling for the mayor’s resignation.” He added that the executive order may be illegal because it allegedly prevents reporting criminal activity to the courts and effectively shelters undocumented immigrants.
Mayor O’Connell and Metro officials have yet to comment on the changes to the report or the mounting political pressure. Requests for comment sent by News 2 to the mayor’s office, Metro Legal, and the Tennessee Attorney General have not been returned.
As the debate continues, Nashville finds itself at the center of a contentious national dialogue over immigration policy, law enforcement cooperation, and the balance of power between local and federal authorities.
