NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and local immigration nonprofits are starting a fund to help immigrant families affected by ICE detainment in Nashville this weekend.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in conjunction with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, stopped 150 cars in south Nashville on Sunday, resulting in arrests and handling immigration matters. Protesters stood outside the Department of Homeland Security office in Nashville, along with families trying to get information about their loved ones who were detained.
The fund, named the Belonging Fund, is live on the Community Foundation's website. This fund is a partnership between Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Metropolitan government.
From Sunday: Immigrant advocates raise concern following ICE arrests in Nashville
"What we know is that state and federal officials coordinated without us," Mayor Freddie O'Connell said. "I have requested and am seeking the names and charges of those arrested. MNPD wasn't involved. Their role is to protect all residents. My office is in regular contact to make sure we keep the public updated. MNPD is not ICE."
Dollars from the Belonging fund will not go to legal fees but will help serve the needs of the immigrant community for transportation, childcare, and food insecurity. The priority of the funding will go to those affected by the ICE detainments in South Nashville. This is the first fund of its kind.
"We want to make sure their needs are cared for," said Hal Cato, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. "We want them here."
Mayor O'Connell said Metro Legal is writing a letter asking for the names of those arrested and the charges. They are asking both ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
O'Connell said he talked with Gov. Bill Lee about what happened, but their conversation was short.
"I flagged that this seemed like a significant tension increase with local and state government. He's aware of the complicated landscape," O'Connell said.
The Metro Immigrant Caucus said that the Tennessee Highway Patrol should focus on public safety, not "arbitrary roadside stops."
"I represent along Harding and Nolensville Pike," Metro Councilwoman Sandra Sepulveda said. "These are our Nashvillans. These are people who pay taxes. They deserve to be represented by all of us. We at the immigrant caucus are here for all of you. As we ask more questions and see what plans we can put in place, I want to give the reminder to the community to remember your rights. You do have rights. Some of you may not have legal status but you're still a human being."
Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors and Tennessee Rights for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition are working together for legal representation for those detained.
Tennessee Democrats with the Davidson County Delegation have written a letter to the Tennessee Highway Patrol and to Gov. Lee to ask what happened this weekend to precede the traffic stops.
Gov. Lee hasn't made any public statements about what happened over the weekend.
"If they are claiming this is for safety, that is a lie," Metro Councilwoman Zulfat Suara said.
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