NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Civil Rights Groups Emphasize Possible Racial Profiling

Civil Rights Groups Emphasize Possible Racial Profiling

SPRINGFIELD, Tenn.- Two civil rights groups say running illegal immigrants out of Robertson County is not only fixing one problem, but creating another.

Civil rights groups said running illegal immigrants out of Robertson County is causing fear and panic among those legal immigrants still living in and around Springfield. Sunday, hundreds gathered at a church to hear words of re-assurance from the group "HOPE" and the NAACP.

The groups are watching for civil rights violations, amid claims that police officers are pulling minorities over, simply because of how they look. An estimated 1,000 immigrants have left Robertson County, meaning a serious loss of revenue.

And then there are those too frightened to do Christmas shopping, according to "HOPE" which stands for the Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education.

"Everybody was afraid of going out, afraid they would be pulled over. Many of the business ladies who are Americans said they were fearful of opening their restaurants. Many restaurants closed down. Many of the Mexican restaurants were closed in the city. There was fear that took over this city," said "HOPE" Spokesperson, Tommy Vallejos.

A NewsChannel 5 investigation last month revealed fake documentation was for sale in Robertson County.  Many claimed "Electrolux," the county's largest employer, was the place for illegal immigrants to land a job.

As for the claim of racial profiling, Springfield police vehemently deny that. In fact, all officers will be learning to speak Spanish in the new year.