Recent events put Tennessee in center of immigration debate

(The Center Square) – Tennessee is over 1,000 miles from the Mexican border but the Volunteer State is now in the crosshairs of the center of the immigration debate.

Over the weekend, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement participated in a Nashville operation in what they called areas of reported gang activity.

“Protecting the safety and security of our communities remains a top priority for ICE,” said ERO New Orleans Field Office Director Mellissa Harper in a statement to The Center Square. “As part of our ongoing mission to uphold U.S. immigration laws, our targeted enforcement operations are specifically focused on individuals who threaten public safety or national security. These efforts help ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe and that immigration laws are enforced.”

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition said the operation “reeks of racial profiling and unconstitutional discrimination.

“We demand transparency from all levels of law enforcement on the nature and scope of this operation as we fight to protect the rights of all who live and work in our community regardless of their immigration status,” the coalition said in a Facebook post.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to The Center Square for more information.

Last week, the Tennessee Highway Patrol released a video of a traffic stop involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvador native who was deported in March. The Trump administration has said Garcia’s deportation was an administrative error but has said Garcia was an MS-13 gang member. Democrats have said Garcia was denied due process. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April that the Trump administration should “facilitate” Garcia’s return, siding with a lower court ruling.

The video of the Nov. 30, 2022 traffic stop by Tennessee troopers, obtained through an Open Records Act request by The Center Square, shows at least one officer believed that Garcia was involved in human trafficking. Garcia had eight people in the SUV when he was stopped for speeding.

“You know what you got here right,” the officer said. “He’s hauling these people for money.”

Garcia was released, with a citation for driving on an expired license after troopers unsuccessfully tried to reach Immigration, Customs and Enforcement Officials. Garcia was never charged with human trafficking or other offenses.

The Department of Homeland Security is defending Garcia’s deportation and his portrayal as a “Maryland dad” by Democrats. In addition to the traffic stop, Homeland Security officials said Garcia’s wife filed a protection order against him in 2020.

“The facts are clear: Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a violent illegal alien who abuses women and children. He had no business being in our country and we are proud to have deported this violent thug,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “We have now found two petitions for protection against him, in addition to the fact that he entered the country illegally and is a confirmed member of MS-13. Our country is safer with him gone.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee made illegal immigration a focus of a January special session. The General Assembly approved his request for a new Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division. Ryan Hubbard, a 28-year veteran who has worked as a border patrol agent and with the Department of Homeland Security, was appointed the first chief immigration enforcement officer.

“Tennessee has a long track record of stepping up to secure our nation’s borders, and we stand ready to be a willing partner as the Trump Administration strengthens public safety by enforcing immigration laws on the books,” Lee said.