DHS responded to accusations from the mayor of Nashville. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
ICE TOUTS RECORD-BREAKING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT DURING TRUMP'S FIRST 100 DAYS
Despite the operation's success in protecting Americans from illegal immigrants, DHS officials wrote in a news release that O’Connell "stands by pro-illegal policies, claiming that these operations were done by ‘people who do not share our values of safety.’"
DHS noted "attacks and demonization of ICE" have resulted in officers facing a 413% increase in assaults.
"You would think all public officials would unite around DHS bringing violent criminal illegal aliens to justice and removing them from American communities," DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a news release. "However, pro-open borders politicians – like Mayor O’Connell – would rather protect illegal aliens than American citizens."
"This operation resulted in getting gang members, sex offenders, and other violent criminals off Nashville’s streets," McLaughlin added. "President [Donald] Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem will continue to stand with victims and the brave ICE agents who are on the front lines, making America safe again."
Though O’Connell launched the "Belonging Fund" to provide taxpayer dollars for illegal immigrants in Nashville, DHS officials stood firm, saying, "BOTTOM LINE: DHS is [a] law enforcement agency, and it will continue to enforce the law and work with all state and local partners so that Americans do not continue to be victimized by criminal aliens."
Below are detainees who ICE officials said were nabbed during the Nashville operation.
Franklin Oswaldo Velasquez is allegedly affiliated with the MS-13 gang and has an active Red Notice in El Salvador for aggravated murder, according to DHS.
Franklin Oswaldo Velasquez, a 33-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, is allegedly affiliated with the MS-13 gang, according to DHS.
He has an active Red Notice in El Salvador for aggravated murder, which is a worldwide wanted alert.
Velasquez was convicted of possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to appear and criminal impersonation, according to DHS.
NEARLY 800 ILLEGAL ALIENS ARRESTED IN MASSIVE FLORIDA ICE OPERATION: ‘TIDAL WAVE’
Richard St. Baptiste has been convicted of multiple drug charges, according to DHS. (DHS)
Richard St. Baptiste, a 36-year-old illegal immigrant from Haiti, was previously convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, for which he was sentenced to eight years of probation, according to DHS.
He was also convicted of marijuana possession, for which he was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment, according to officials.
Carlos Reinaldo Alvarado-Rodriguez was convicted of aggravated assault, according to DHS. (DHS)
Carlos Reinaldo Alvarado-Rodriguez, a 39-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was previously convicted of aggravated assault, for which he was sentenced to four years in prison, according to DHS.
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DHS and O'Connell's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast.
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