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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Tensions run high after ICE enforcement in Nashville

“What’s clear today that those who do not share our community values are in authority,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said May 5, 2025, about immigration enforcement. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
“What’s clear today that those who do not share our community values are in authority,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said May 5, 2025, about immigration enforcement. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) “What’s clear today that those who do not share our community values are in authority,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said May 5, 2025, about immigration enforcement. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)


Nashville and state officials continue to seek information about a Sunday immigration enforcement action, even as several City Council members question what role city law enforcement may have played.

During a Monday news conference, Mayor Freddie O’Connell reiterated the traffic stops and resulting detentions were a result of a coordinated effort between federal and state agencies and that the Metro Nashville Police Department was not involved.

“What’s clear today is that people who do not share our values of safety and community have the authority to cause deep community harm,” O’Connell said. “We are working to determine more about what happened over the weekend, but what we know right now based on public statements is state and federal officials coordinated without us to engage in traffic enforcement clearly intended to target immigration concerns.”

(READ MORE: ICE, state troopers detain dozens of people in South Nashville)