DHS Secretary Noem Highlights 'Worst of Worst' Criminal Illegal Aliens in Nashville

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Nashville to highlight the arrests of criminal illegal immigrants, described as the 'worst of the worst,' including gang members, rapists, and traffickers. She emphasized the Trump administration's focus on immigration enforcement, noting that about 70% of nearly 300,000 arrests nationwide involved individuals with criminal charges or convictions. Noem criticized Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for his lack of cooperation with ICE and policies requiring city employees to report interactions with immigration agents, arguing these measures undermine enforcement efforts and public safety. The Department plans to send more ICE agents and immigration judges to Nashville to strengthen operations. While supporters praise the crackdown as necessary for law and order, critics and immigration lawyers warn about risks of due process violations, racial profiling, and unfair targeting of immigrant communities. President Trump also expressed openness to designating groups involved in anti-ICE protests as domestic terrorists, reflecting the administration's hardline stance on immigration enforcement.