Andrew Thomas Associated Press
Community Protest
A group of community leaders holds a press conference on ICE raiding homes of families and businesses in Arlington, Virginia, on March 4, 2024, urging elected officials to come out and stand with them against ICE. On May 4, 2025, community leaders documented and protested a series of raids in predominantly Latino communities of Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Andrew Thomas/NurPhoto via AP)
May 20, 2025
Immigration Law and Justice Network, an immigration rights ministry supported by the United Methodist Church, published this account of a recent raid in Nashville, Tenn., by agents of Immigration and Customers Enforcement aided by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
"Just past midnight on Sunday, May 4, multiple ICE agents, working with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, began a targeted 'dragnet' in the city’s predominantly Latino neighborhoods. They made 150 traffic stops, checked immigration status, dragged some drivers from their cars, and detained an unknown number of residents.Later that same day, at least two busloads of people were sent to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana without an opportunity to speak to family members or a lawyer.
"Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors and partner immigrant rights groups in Nashville immediately leaped into action, rallying residents, demanding answers from public officials, and coordinating legal services for affected families. They also started a Belonging Fund to assist families facing sudden financial hardship.By the end of the week, ICE agents had conducted close to 500 similar “traffic stops” and arrested 196 people. Most of those arrested and detained had no criminal record or pending criminal charges."
According to a report by Sarah Grace Taylor on the Nashville Banner news site, "ICE Deputy Field Officer Brian Acuna declined to answer questions about the operation, and ICE’s Office of Public Affairs did not respond to a list of questions."
The Nashville Banner article quoted those familiar with the raid:
"Ashley Warbington, a volunteer with ReMIX Tennessee, was monitoring the Migra Watch line overnight when the ICE presence was first reported around 1:30 a.m. Warbington spent about three hours observing the traffic stops, which appeared to be 'random or maybe racially profiling.'
“'They were quick. Like someone was either detained or let go almost instantly,' Warbington told the Banner. “And once they left one stop, it was almost immediate that their blue lights were on again.'
"In each case, a THP patrol vehicle would initiate a traffic stop, followed by two unmarked vehicles — one dark-colored SUV and one dark-colored sedan, like a Dodge Charger, according to Warbington. THP would inquire whether the driver and, on at least one occasion, the passengers, had driver’s licenses.
"An unmarked gray Dodge sedan and a gray Subaru SUV matching the above description were present at the ICE field office on Sunday.
"Witness videos reviewed by the Banner corroborate Warbington’s description and show several different, brief traffic stops fitting that description."
The Nashville Banner article continued:
"A crowd of activists gathered outside the detention center late Sunday morning, as families and attorneys were reportedly not allowed to speak to those detained by ICE who faced removal from the state and likely the country.
"Sometime in the morning, witnesses say a passenger bus left the field office with an unknown number of people on board. Witnesses say they heard chains coming from the back, indicating passengers were on board."
Read the full Nashville Banner account of the raid.
The Immigration Law and Justice Network newsletter included information on the organization's efforts.
"Since January 20, ILJ Network Co-Executive Directors Alba Jaramillo and Melissa Bowe, and Culture and Outreach Manager Rev. Carlos Reyes Rodríguez, have traversed the country to provide critical immigration policy updates and know-your-rights training at community centers, churches, schools, and hospitals.
"Because of their efforts, over 3,000 people—neighbors, teachers, community and faith leaders, farmworkers, small business employers, medical professionals, and immigrants worried about their children, their families, and themselves—are better informed and prepared to cope with our rapidly changing immigration landscape.
For ILJ Network's guide to immigrant rights click here for English and click here for the guide in Spanish.
Immigration Law and Justice Network is financially supported by the General Board of Global Ministries.
This article was prepared from various sources by United Methodist Insight Editor Cynthia B. Astle