NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tensions are escalating between federal immigration agents and Metro government leaders over how a recent immigration enforcement operation has been handled.
While U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are urging more cooperation from local agencies, some in Nashville's leadership, including Mayor Freddie O’Connell, are critical of the approach taken by ICE.
Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall appeared before the Metro Council to explain his department's role. He emphasized that while his deputies do not make immigration-related arrests, they are required by federal law to share booking information with ICE.
“Every one of those individuals are booked with us... We fingerprint, photograph, we do all that work and those fingerprints are automatically shared with ICE,” Hall told council members.
Hall added that ICE has 48 hours to act once an undocumented immigrant is in custody. After that, his department proceeds with handling only local charges.
Some critics argue the sheriff’s office should go further. Other counties in Tennessee, like Sumner County, have expanded their cooperation with ICE through the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to assist in identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants.
To participate in this program, the Metro Council would have to discuss and approve it before it could be implemented. Currently, that has yet to happen.
State Representative Johnny Garrett voiced his frustration:
“They’re prioritizing criminals. And we don’t understand how they [Davidson County] can’t partner, just like Sumner County and others, to get these dangerous people off the street. I can’t imagine why they’re refusing to do that.”
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