Immigrant Rights Group Sues Tennessee Highway Patrol Over Traffic Stops
Civil rights groups challenge Tennessee Highway Patrol’s collaboration with ICE agents in systematic traffic stops they claim violate constitutional protections.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the Tennessee Highway Patrol, alleging the agency’s systematic traffic stops violate constitutional rights and amount to racial profiling.
The lawsuit, filed in Davidson County Chancery Court, claims Highway Patrol troopers are working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to “deliberately and systematically” pull over motorists in search of civil immigration violations.
“The THP’s programmatic use of this tactic has essentially turned some state roadways into immigration checkpoints and it has wasted THP resources that should be spent to make those roadways safer,” said Mike Holley, senior counsel for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, in a statement.
Constitutional Violations Alleged
The legal challenge alleges the “tag-team” enforcement tactic violates the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable seizures and the Equal Protection Clause’s prohibition on racial profiling. The lawsuit also claims this type of enforcement exceeds the scope of THP’s statutory powers.
According to the filing, Highway Patrol troopers used the profiling tactic during a sweep of South Nashville neighborhoods with large immigrant populations in May 2025. The practice continues daily in Memphis, where THP presence increased dramatically in September 2025 as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
Community Impact and Federal Task Force
The Memphis Safe Task Force represents a combination of local, state and federal agencies ordered by President Donald Trump. Seven plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including community leaders, activists and citizens, say they are “disturbed” that the Highway Patrol’s systematic traffic stops have intimidated immigrant communities and torn apart families.
The plaintiffs argue the enforcement practices have damaged the nation’s reputation for fairness while creating fear in affected communities.
Legal Relief Sought
The lawsuit asks the court to declare the law enforcement practices illegal and prohibit the Highway Patrol from directing troopers to make traffic stops specifically for immigration investigations.
“Regardless of race, immigration status, or where we live in the state, all of us are guaranteed the rights granted to us in the Constitution and we will continue to defend our community in the streets and in the courts when our rights are violated,” according to the lawsuit.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the legal challenge. The case will proceed through Davidson County Chancery Court, where a judge will determine whether the alleged practices violate constitutional protections.
