NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to establish a "National Call Center" in Nashville, according to an agency contracting document reviewed by ABC.

The document said the center will track unaccompanied migrant children with support from law enforcement agencies across the U.S.

In a notice posted to a government contracting website on Tuesday, ABC said ICE cited an "immediate need" to establish the call center to provide information to area law enforcement agencies about the locations of minors.

In May, a "public safety operation" between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE drew criticism from Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell. Advocates demanded ICE release the names of the dozens of people detained in the operation.

Later that month, the Department of Homeland Security defended the operation after releasing the names and criminal histories of five people arrested in it.

Federal data from July showed that around 80% of those arrested by ICE in Tennessee either had a criminal conviction or pending criminal charge. At the time, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the state as well and said more ICE agents would be sent to Nashville through the "Big Beautiful Bill."

As of September, ICE detainer requests had increased by more than 85% this year compared to last year.

The call center could be fully operational by June 2026, ABC said while citing ICE. No other details were immediately released.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/ice-national-call-center/