Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended nearly 200 undocumented immigrants in Nashville, Tennessee.
Out of the 196 individuals taken into custody, 95 were convicted criminals, including members of the MS-13 gang who were involved in violent crimes back in El Salvador.
Additionally, 31 of those arrested had been previously deported from the United States.
In a statement, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for supporting sanctuary policies that they believe shield violent undocumented criminals from federal immigration enforcement.
“I think all public officials should come together with the DHS to bring those who commit violent crimes to justice and remove them from our communities,” stated DHS Deputy Chief Tricia McLaughlin.
However, proponents of open borders, like Mayor O’Connell, seem to prioritize the protection of illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens. This initiative has effectively removed gang members, sex offenders, and other violent criminals from Nashville. President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to safeguarding America, along with the victims and dedicated ICE agents involved in these operations.
Among those arrested was 33-year-old Franklin Oswald Velazquez from El Salvador, a known MS-13 gang member with active charges related to aggravated murder back home. His criminal history also includes drug-related offenses and impersonation.
Another individual apprehended was 60-year-old Jasim Jafaf al-Rash from Iraq, who has a history of rape, larceny, and false imprisonment. He was also previously charged with failing to register as a sex offender and had been deported on September 1, 2021.
Carlos Reinaldo Alvarado Rodriguez, a 39-year-old from Guatemala, was also taken into custody, having a record that includes aggravated assault. Richard St. Baptist, a 36-year-old from Haiti, was similarly apprehended.
Immer Antoni Openad Membrenno, another illegal alien from El Salvador, has a conviction for assault and drug-related charges.
Reports indicate that since Trump’s administration began, approximately 400 local law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have engaged with ICE’s 287(g) program, enhancing efforts to apprehend criminal undocumented individuals.
When former President Biden was in office, only 134 police departments were involved in the program, but the number has now grown to over 500.
