Immigration arrests during Memphis’ federal surge a concern for city and county mayors
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the military to send 20 lawyers to Memphis to help the U.S. Department of Justice with immigration enforcement efforts.
The Associated Press reports those assignments in the Bluff City could last through next fall, according to documents the AP reviewed from Hegseth’s office.
The news comes as local leaders try to calm fears in the Latino community. Citizens are shocked by the growing number of arrests by agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The latest Memphis Safe Task Force numbers released by the Department of Justice show more than 1,700 arrests in the first month of the federal surge. But the data doesn’t reveal how many of the arrests are for immigration issues.
Advocates in the Latino and Hispanic communities estimate hundreds of immigrants have been rounded up by ICE, a topic of great concern both mayors addressed on Thursday, October 30.
Right now, the commute to and from work, school or church is a trip of terror for Memphis Latinos, fearful of being pulled over and detained by the task force.
“Our community is not, and I want to emphasize not,” said Pastor Rolando Rostro, “our community is not the worst of the worst,” referring to how the DOJ labels those arrested by the task force.
Pastor Rostro reports a 40% drop in church attendance since the federal surge started. Standing with Rostro and other Latino men of faith was Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.
“We are still dismayed that we have not heard a response from Governor Lee or the White House around these troubling accounts,” said Harris.
His focus now: Trying to meet with Homeland Security to carve out safety zones where children are concerned.
“We’re hopeful,” said Harris, “that they have some protected spaces, and that those protected spaces will include the schools.”
Also Thursday, Memphis Mayor Paul Young disputed reports from a week ago, quoting him as saying Memphis police are working hand-in-hand with ICE to round up illegal immigrants.
“It’s absolutely not true,” said Mayor Young, “However, members of the Homeland Security Investigation team are a part of the federal task force. So, when those task force teams go out with our MPD officers doing traditional patrols, you may see them with them.”
Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis says the city’s officers are instructed to report any problems or concerns they observe with task force operations, including getting the name and badge number of federal agents involved.
Memphis firefighters and paramedics have been issued the same order and also instructed on what to do if federal agents refuse to let them transport an injured or sick person.
Again, there are no numbers available on arrests by ICE, and the federal government also won’t say where the detainees are being held.
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