Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has issued an executive order mandating the police department to notify the “New Americans’ Office” about any upcoming immigration enforcement actions by ICE.
Recently, the mayor criticized a traffic stop conducted by Tennessee Troopers in South Nashville, describing it as a “terrifying act” and asserting that the individuals detained were effectively “citizens” of Nashville.
The amended executive order has changed the previous one concerning communications between federal immigration authorities and local governments. It now emphasizes coordination between the police and other departments about future ICE operations.
O’Connell’s decision followed reports that the appropriate information hadn’t been relayed to his office immediately regarding a significant traffic stop initiative last week. Specifically, ICE had requested that Nashville’s emergency services increase patrols two days before the traffic stops commenced, and also asked local police not to be informed until mid-morning. This lack of timely notification reportedly frustrated immigrant advocacy groups.
The new executive order compels all city departments to notify advocacy groups of any communications with federal immigration agencies.
After the traffic stops, O’Connell labeled ICE as a “terrorist” organization, again labeling the detained individuals as “citizens” of Nashville.
“The trauma that families are experiencing is profound and lasting, and we are committed to doing everything within our legal capacity to safeguard those who call Nashville home,” O’Connell remarked following the incident. “What is evident is that those lacking a genuine commitment to community safety can inflict significant harm.”
O’Connell isn’t alone in this stance; Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s administration has also established a hotline for individuals to report sightings or rumors regarding ICE activities.
Healey has previously stated that all ICE actions negatively impact the community, even including arrests of serious offenders.
