NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A public safety operation conducted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) over the weekend has raised significant concerns among immigrant rights groups, following reports of coordinated traffic stops in South Nashville. Advocates are calling the operation discriminatory, claiming it targeted members of the immigrant community in what they allege to be a case of racial profiling.
The operation, which took place on the night of May 3 and into the early hours of May 4, resulted in approximately 150 traffic stops, primarily along Nolensville Road in South Nashville. Community organizations such as the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) and The ReMIX have condemned the actions, asserting that the operation was a collaboration between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a claim that has fueled tensions in the area.
In a post shared by TIRRC on social media, the group described the operation as a coordinated effort to detain immigrant drivers. According to organizers from The ReMIX, at least 100 people were detained by law enforcement, and several were reportedly transported to an ICE field office for processing. Organizers expressed particular concern for those who remained in custody overnight.
“People are worried about their loved ones, they want answers,” said Gisselle Huerta from the Children of Immigrants organization. “You work for us — you need to give us answers. If someone goes missing, their family has the right to know where they are.”
The protest grew as several charter buses were seen leaving the area, adding to the confusion and fear that some of those detained may have been taken elsewhere, though the destination of the buses remained unclear. Local community members gathered outside the ICE field office, demanding information about those still in custody.
The THP, in a statement to News 2, confirmed the operation was part of a broader public safety initiative aimed at addressing traffic violations in areas with a history of serious crashes and suspected gang activity. The agency explained that 150 traffic stops were made for observed violations, and in some cases, individuals without valid identification were referred to federal authorities for immigration-related matters. According to THP, several arrests were made for outstanding warrants, and illegal firearms and drugs were recovered during the operation.
While THP acknowledged the operation’s focus on traffic safety, immigrant rights advocates criticized the targeting of immigrant communities, especially in a neighborhood known for its large immigrant population. “This operation shatters families, erodes trust in law enforcement, and fosters fear and trauma,” said Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of TIRRC. “It is a form of cruelty that will have a devastating impact on families throughout Nashville.”
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) denied any involvement in the operation, and the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office also stated it was not participating in immigration enforcement activities. ICE, however, has not yet responded to inquiries about its role in the operation.
The incident has sparked further debate about the role of state and local law enforcement in federal immigration matters. Advocates are calling for transparency and greater oversight of such operations, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of all residents, regardless of immigration status.
As the community remains divided over the operation’s impact, organizers like The ReMIX continue to provide support for those affected, vowing to fight for the rights of families and individuals caught in the immigration enforcement process. Their efforts highlight a growing resistance to the increasing use of immigration enforcement tactics in local communities.
