NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Five years after immigration agents and local police raided a south Nashville apartment complex, the federal and Nashville governments have agreed to pay $310,000 to 14 people who sued over constitutional violations.
Plaintiffs include 12 Hispanic immigrant men who were arrested Oct. 20, 2010, and an American woman and boy who were detained and questioned. As part of the settlement, deportation proceedings against eight plaintiffs were deferred for seven years.
Plaintiffs have claimed the operation aimed to rid the Clairmont Apartments of Hispanic residents. They voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit after a settlement was reached. It was announced Monday.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a statement saying it does not admit to any wrongdoing. An attorney for the city of Nashville also said the police involved did nothing wrong.