Tennessee Highway Patrol arrests 100 illegal immigrants, drugs, firearms during traffic enforcement

More than 100 people have been taken into custody by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in a joint operation with federal immigration officials. 

The stops “led to the recovery of illegal drugs and firearms — taking dangerous elements off the street and making Tennessee safer,” the Highway Patrol said. One person was wanted in a killing in El Salvador.

The Highway Patrol said Friday that it made 588 stops in the joint operation with ICE, which took custody of 103 under investigation for immigration violations.

The Highway Patrol said stops are based solely on driver behavior. “We do not enter neighborhoods or stop vehicles based on who someone is — we stop based on what they do behind the wheel,” it said.

Tennessee’s Gov. Bill Lee recently signed a law creating a division of immigration enforcement with the state’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which includes the Highway Patrol. He is one of a number of Republican officials pledging to use state resources to carry out Trump’s plans.

The operation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a reminder of how local and state law enforcement jurisdictions are integral to President Trump’s plans for deportation of illegal immigrant criminals. Last week, Florida officials touted a joint operation with ICE that resulted in 1,120 immigration arrests.


Nashville's Homeland Security building (AP Photo George Walker IV)