ICE Operations in Nashville Result in Multiple Arrests, Mayor Criticizes Focus on Immigration Enforcement

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of operations in Nashville this week, leading to the arrests of a convicted child sex predator, an alleged gang member, and several individuals on drug charges, Fox News reports.

Despite the arrests, Nashville’s Democratic Mayor, Freddie O’Connell, voiced strong opposition, arguing that the actions were not focused on improving public safety.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the ICE operation in Middle Tennessee led to the detainment of a convicted child sex predator, an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a person convicted of aggravated assault, and several individuals on drug-related charges. The arrests also included multiple individuals identified as illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.

In a letter to the city, O’Connell expressed concern about the nature of the federal enforcement actions.

“Our top priority is keeping people safe, and we’re deeply concerned that what appear to be federal actions are making that harder,” he wrote.

The mayor emphasized that the Nashville Police Department was not involved in the ICE operation, as they do not have federal immigration authority, nor are they trained in immigration enforcement.

O’Connell further criticized the actions, stating that they left many residents fearing interactions with law enforcement, even in cases of legitimate criminal activity.

“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,” O’Connell added.

He also said that the city would be seeking the names of those detained to ensure transparency.

The DHS responded to the mayor’s remarks, defending the operation and emphasizing its focus on removing criminal illegal aliens from US streets.

“The Nashville Mayor should want these criminal illegal aliens off American streets,” DHS posted on X.

The department also condemned what it described as attacks on law enforcement, citing a significant increase in assaults against ICE officers.

According to ICE, the agency’s efforts have been particularly focused on criminal immigrants, with a reported 75% of arrests involving individuals accused of crimes. In total, ICE arrested 66,463 illegal immigrants in recent months, removing 65,682 of them from the U.S. Among those arrested were 2,288 alleged gang members from violent organizations such as Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and 18th Street. Both Tren de Aragua and MS-13 are now listed as foreign terrorist organizations.

ICE further highlighted its commitment to immigration enforcement, stating that President Trump’s campaign platform on stricter immigration policies had the support of the American people.

“Attacks and demonization of our brave law enforcement is wrong,” the DHS added, pointing to the substantial increase in assaults against ICE officers, which reportedly rose by 413%.