Backfire in Nashville: Mayor Defies ICE, Feds Strike Back With Largest Raid Yet

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Almost 200 criminal illegal aliens were arrested in Nashville as ICE pushed forward with a major enforcement operation following the mayor’s attempt to obstruct federal immigration efforts.

Key Facts:

  • ICE agents arrested 196 illegal aliens in Nashville, Tennessee, including 95 with criminal convictions or pending charges.
  • The arrests included violent offenders such as an MS-13 gang member wanted for murder and a convicted rapist from Iraq.
  • At least 31 individuals had previously been deported but re-entered the U.S. illegally.
  • The operation was made possible through ICE’s 287(g) partnership with local law enforcement agencies.
  • DHS criticized Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for supporting sanctuary policies that hinder immigration enforcement.

The Rest of The Story:

ICE’s enforcement action in Nashville targeted illegal aliens with serious criminal records, including gang affiliations, drug offenses, and violent crimes.

Among those apprehended were Franklin Oswaldo Velasquez, an MS-13 member wanted in El Salvador for aggravated murder, and Jassim Jafaf Al-Raash, a convicted rapist and previously ordered deported.

The sweep also included individuals with convictions for drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and failure to register as sex offenders.

ICE attributed the success of the operation to its 287(g) program, which empowers local law enforcement agencies to assist in identifying and detaining criminal aliens.

DHS officials issued a sharp rebuke of Mayor Freddie O’Connell for championing sanctuary city policies.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned such policies as dangerous and irresponsible, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to protecting communities and removing threats from American streets.

Commentary:

Mayor O’Connell’s attempt to interfere with federal law enforcement highlights a growing problem in left-run cities.

Local officials have no legal authority to obstruct federal immigration operations, especially when they involve removing dangerous criminals from American neighborhoods.

ICE and DHS acted decisively in this case, with Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan reportedly ordering the operation as a direct response to O’Connell’s sanctuary stance.

That’s the kind of leadership and enforcement that should be expected when elected officials choose politics over public safety.

Cities do not get to pick and choose which federal laws they obey.

If a mayor’s policy shields rapists, drug traffickers, and gang members from arrest, then that city is failing its own citizens.

Nashville residents deserve protection from known violent criminals—regardless of their immigration status.

President Trump, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and ICE are making it clear: federal immigration law will be enforced—whether local politicians like it or not.

Every delay, warning, or obstruction from city leaders only increases the risk to law-abiding Americans.

By immediately dispatching agents to Nashville, DHS sent a message to other sanctuary-minded cities.

If you interfere, federal authorities will double down.

And if your city harbors criminals, don’t be surprised when the feds show up with reinforcements.

This approach not only ensures accountability but also deters future obstruction.

When open-borders advocates in public office try to sabotage enforcement, ICE must act with urgency and resolve.

Removing nearly 200 criminal illegal aliens—including repeat offenders and known gang members—shouldn’t be controversial.

It’s basic law and order.

And any official who stands in the way of that has chosen the wrong side of justice.

The Bottom Line:

The large-scale ICE raid in Nashville shows that federal immigration authorities are willing to act decisively when local politicians attempt to interfere.

By targeting violent criminal aliens, ICE made the city safer and sent a clear warning to other sanctuary jurisdictions.

Federal law—not city hall—sets immigration policy, and those who obstruct it will be met with swift action.

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