Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, a Democrat, is currently the subject of a federal investigation concerning allegations that he interfered with immigration enforcement efforts and for allegedly “aiding and abetting” illegal immigrants.
Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) revealed that both the Department of Homeland Security and congressional judiciary committees are examining whether O’Connell misused federal funds “in criminal enterprise” connected to illegal immigration matters.
The inquiry follows an executive order issued by O’Connell, which instructs city employees to document all interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This directive came in response to a joint operation between ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol that resulted in the arrest of nearly 200 undocumented individuals; majority of whom were criminals with gang affiliations, according to National Review.
Mayor O’Connell has challenged those claims, stating that federal authorities “have shown us no proof” that the individuals detained “with criminal histories or criminal intent.”
“We don’t even know the names of who they’ve arrested, much less the charges,” O’Connell said earlier this month. “What we have seen is a violation of due process and the defiance of court orders.”
However, ICE reported that 96 of the 196 individuals taken into custody during the operation had either previous convictions or pending criminal charges.
Ogles has criticized the mayor’s stance, asserting, “the individuals the mayor is standing with are murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, sexual predators, child traffickers…the list goes on.”
“I will always stand on the rule of law and with ICE. And I don’t just stand with ICE; I’ll stand in front of ICE because we the people have had enough,” the congressman stated during a press conference held on Monday.
“Due to the remarks of Freddie O’Connell and the potential for aiding and abetting illegal immigration, the Homeland Security and the judiciary committees will be conducting an investigation into the mayor of Nashville, his conduct and whether or not federal dollars have been used in criminal enterprise,” Ogles continued.
The Department of Homeland Security also weighed in, accusing the mayor of supporting “pro-illegal policies,” and criticizing his comments that the enforcement actions were conducted by “people who do not share our values of safety.”
