The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s role in joint immigration enforcement operations is facing a federal court challenge from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, which wants an injunction preventing the state agency from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A federal judge heard arguments Tuesday, Sept. 22, concerning the coalition’s lawsuit. The coalition is asking the court to block the Highway Patrol’s participation in immigration enforcement operations conducted with ICE.
The requested restriction targets cooperation between the state patrol and the federal immigration agency. Through its lawsuit, the coalition is pursuing a court order to stop that joint enforcement work.