Nashville’s new mayor has rescinded an executive order from his predecessor that had discouraged city departments from cooperating with immigration enforcement.
Mayor John Cooper says the order was unclear. It also led the state to threaten to withhold $1.1 million in grants by Oct. 18. Tennessee law doesn’t allow cities to enact so-called “sanctuary” policies.
But, in a statement late Monday, Cooper said he’s still concerned about immigration enforcement, so he’ll convene a diverse task force — including immigrant advocates and law enforcement — to figure out next steps.
The study group is being asked to compile all requests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents so that the mayor can keep track of them. Within 60 days, they’ll also make recommendations for how Metro employees should interact with federal authorities going forward. Cooper said Metro needs to respect and comply with state law while protecting immigrant well-being.
The task force also will be responsible for making recommendations for how Metro employees should interact with federal immigration authorities. Cooper says the city needs a policy that “respects the very separate roles of federal, state and local governments; complies with state and federal law; and protects the safety and well-being of everyone in our immigrant communities.”
The mayor adds that recent local conflicts involving ICE agents show that residents and city employees need more guidance on how to respond. And he notes that Metro has limited resources and that “it is up to the federal government to both make and enforce our immigration laws.”
The study group was named Monday:
- Shanna Hughey, ThinkTN founder and president (chairwoman)
- Juliana Ospina Cano, Conexion Americas executive director
- Hank Clay, Metro Schools chief of staff
- Ana Escobar, general sessions judge
- Mike Hagar, Metro Police deputy chief
- Daron Hall, Davidson County sheriff
- Mary Kathryn Harcombe, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition legal director
- Victor S. (Torry) Johnson III, former Davidson County district attorney
- Sandra Sepulveda, District 30 Metro councilwoman
- Zulfat Suara, At-Large Metro councilwoman
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