Nashville mayor's ICE policies are accused by a Tennessee representative of being a form of assisting or facilitating unlawful immigration.
Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee has called for a federal investigation into the handling of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations by Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell. Ogles, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, is seeking all documents and communications from O'Connell's office pertaining to the alleged protection of illegal immigrants.
Specifically, Ogles is interested in documents concerning the amendment of Executive Order 30, which he describes as an "outrageous directive" requiring Nashville employees and first responders to report all communication with federal immigration authorities directly to the mayor. He also seeks internal discussions or documents regarding ICE enforcement actions in Nashville or Davidson County and all correspondence involving Metro employees and affiliated nongovernmental organizations pertaining to the arrests or detention of criminal illegal aliens within the city or county.
This request comes a week after Ogles sent a letter urging an investigation into O'Connell, who has been accused by the Trump administration of supporting pro-illegal policies. O'Connell's office did not respond to requests for comment on this matter.
Tensions between Ogles and O'Connell escalated earlier this month when ICE agents, working with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, arrested nearly 200 people suspected of being illegal immigrants, many of whom had criminal backgrounds. O'Connell signed an executive order aimed at tracking peoples' interactions with federal immigration authorities after these arrests. In response, Ogles stated that the mayor's actions could be considered illegal and dangerous.
O'Connell previously criticized ICE raids in Nashville, claiming they are not focused on making the city safer and instead leave the community fearing interaction with law enforcement. He asserted that the city's police department lacks federal immigration authority, is not trained to conduct immigration enforcement, and lacks access to federal immigration databases.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended its actions, arguing that the arrest of criminal illegal aliens is essential for the safety of American communities. DHS also emphasized that attacks and demonization of law enforcement are unwarranted, citing a 413% increase in assaults against ICE officers. The DHS has stated that public officials who impede ICE operations are breaking the law.
The investigation into O'Connell's handling of ICE operations is being conducted by the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, with the aim of determining if there has been any obstruction of ICE operations, aiding and abetting of illegal immigrants, or misuse of federal funds in any immigration-related criminal enterprise.
Congressman Ogles has expressed his commitment to seeing the investigation through, although as of now, no specific results or findings have been reported.
- Republican Representative Andy Ogles' call for a federal investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's handling of ICE operations extends to documents concerning the amendment of Executive Order 30, internal discussions or documents regarding ICE enforcement actions in Nashville or Davidson County, and all correspondence involving Metro employees and affiliated nongovernmental organizations pertaining to the arrests or detention of criminal illegal aliens.
- Ogles questions the legality and safety of Mayor O'Connell's actions, particularly his executive order aimed at tracking interactions with federal immigration authorities, when compared to the public's fear of law enforcement he claims resulted from ICE raids.
- Amidst these tensions and accusations of pro-illegal policies, the investigation by the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees is examining potential obstruction of ICE operations, aiding and abetting illegal immigrants, and misuse of federal funds in any immigration-related criminal enterprise.
- The controversy surrounding O'Connell's handling of ICE operations coincides with the ongoing discourse on war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, politics, general-news, policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, and opinion, as the issue of immigration remains a hot topic in political discussions today.
