The state is fighting to keep information confidential about the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s participation in immigration sweeps, arguing in court that the highly politicized nature of the sweeps could make troopers a target of violence or harassment if made public.
The state’s arguments mirror those of federal immigration officials who have contended that agents with Immigration and Customs and Enforcement need to conceal their identities to protect themselves and their families from retaliation.
The arguments came as the state defended itself Monday in a public records lawsuit filed in Davidson County Chancery Court by the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition.
The nonprofit filed suit last month against the Highway Patrol and the state’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security, alleging the agencies had failed to meaningfully respond to a request for records and video footage it was seeking to shed light on mass immigration sweeps in Nashville earlier this year.