NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After multiple traffic stops involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement happened in South Nashville this weekend, News 2 has worked to get responses from Tennessee lawmakers.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted a "public safety operation" with federal authorities this weekend. Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) said that he and other Democrats sent a letter to the THP to see if the operation was done at the request of the federal government or the state government.

"Children were left abandoned. Personal property has been left abandoned. People are without their family members. Right now, there appears to be no due process whatsoever. We know of no subpoenas that were issued or served involved in this raid," Clemmons said. "...Every Tennessean should be concerned. There is nothing limiting the federal government right now from coming and picking anyone of us up off the road for any reason whatsoever apparently and detaining us with no excuse whatsoever."

The letter, written by the Davidson County Legislative Delegation, is addressed to Commissioner Jeff Long with the Department of Homeland Security and Colonel Matt Perry with the THP. The letter seeks "to better understand the State's involvement" in the operation.

A spokesperson told News 2 that a Republican legislator would speak on the matter later this week.

News 2 also reached out to Governor Bill Lee's office for comment on the safety operation. A spokesperson said in a statement:

"Tennessee has a long track record of stepping up to secure our Nation’s borders and strengthening public safety. President Trump made it clear that states would play a major role in enforcing immigration laws and removing the most violent offenders, and Americans overwhelmingly elected him to do so.

In partnership with the General Assembly, Gov. Lee established the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division to strengthen the state’s ability to identify and address the presence of individuals in Tennessee who are subject to final orders of removal or who are violent criminal offenders in the country unlawfully.

Questions regarding law enforcement operations and the Centralized Immigration Enforcement Division should be referred to the Department of Safety."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/lawmakers-ice-reactions/