One other Democratic mayor is coming underneath hearth for issuing a directive to metropolis workers that seems to intervene with federal immigration operations.
Earlier this month, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell issued Government Order 30 requiring native regulation enforcement to trace interactions with federal immigration officers. He additionally held a information convention stating that metropolis officers “did not request this approach to safety, we do not support it,” referring to a focused U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation.
Nashville’s Metropolis Overview Board posted a discover on X urging residents who “experienced or witnessed an immigration-related event” to name a city-monitored hotline and file a criticism.
In response, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., mentioned the mayor’s order was “an outrageous directive requiring Nashville employees and first responders to report all communication with federal immigration authorities directly to the Mayor” and referred to as on the U.S. Home Judiciary and Homeland Safety committees to analyze.
On Monday, Ogles introduced that Congress was launching an investigation and he was requesting “any internal discussions or documents concerning ICE enforcement actions in Nashville or Davidson County” and “all correspondence involving Metro employees and affiliated NGOs regarding the arrest or detention of criminal illegal aliens within the city or county.”
Ogles mentioned the mayor was “standing with rapists, drug traffickers, sexual predators, child traffickers, the list goes on, which is why I will always stand on the rule of law, and with ICE. I don’t just stand with ICE, I’ll stand in front of ICE because, ‘We the People’ have had enough.”
O’Connell’s statements and actions indicated he was doubtlessly “aiding and embedding illegal immigration,” Ogles mentioned, including that the committees “will be conducting an investigation into the mayor of Nashville, his conduct and whether or not federal dollars have been used.”
Ogles additionally issued a warning to Tennesseans: “If you’re helping violent gangs destroy Tennessee by obstructing ICE – you belong behind bars.”
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The escalation between the mayor and federal authorities occurred after ICE Nashville brokers, working with federal companions and the Tennessee Freeway Patrol, arrested 196 prison overseas nationals with intensive prison histories, together with those that have been beforehand deported and illegally reentered the nation.
Federal and state authorities don’t want a mayor’s permission to hold out focused immigration enforcement operations however ICE has requested the cooperation of native authorities. Those that gained’t comply threat dropping federal funding, prosecution and different actions taken by the Trump administration, The Middle Sq. has reported.
Beneath Republican Gov. Invoice Lee, state regulation enforcement and the Tennessee Nationwide Guard have been concerned in responding to border-related crime. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations is actively focusing on human trafficking operations run by the violent Tren de Aragua overseas terrorist group. The Tennessee Nationwide Guard participated in Texas’ Operation Lone Star, The Middle Sq. reported.
In response to O’Connell’s assertion about not supporting ICE brokers’ public security efforts, the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety posted mugshots of violent convicted criminals ICE brokers arrested and took off of Nashville streets.
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They embody a Venezuelan nationwide and TdA affiliate member; a Salvadoran affiliated with one other overseas terrorist group, MS-13, who has an lively Crimson Discover in El Salvador for aggravated homicide. His prison historical past features a conviction for possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to look, and prison impersonation.
Others embody a Haitian nationwide sentenced for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and marijuana possession; a Guatemalan nationwide sentenced to 4 years in jail for aggravated assault; an Iraqi nationwide convicted of rape, larceny and false imprisonment. He was additionally arrested for failing to register as a intercourse offender and has a last order of removing from a choose relationship Sept. 1, 2021.
Of the 196 arrested, 95 had prior prison convictions and pending prison expenses; 31 have been beforehand eliminated who illegally reentered the U.S.
Lee praised the work of THP troopers, saying he was pleased with them “for assisting federal partners in the removal of dangerous criminals and drugs from our streets. Tennessee is safer today thanks to dedicated law enforcement who are leading the mission to restore public safety in America.”
Syndicated with permission from The Middle Sq..
