Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., rode along with ICE officers on Friday, June 20. (Sen. Blackburn's office)
"Lawless, left-wing politicians are fueling the surge in assaults against law enforcement officers who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. In stark contrast, President Trump and his administration are standing up for law-abiding citizens over criminal illegal aliens by empowering ICE agents to do their jobs," she added.
Tennessee, particularly the city of Nashville, has become a flash point in the illegal immigration discussion.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, a Democrat, has opposed the Trump administration’s immigration policies. He recently faced backlash for the names of federal officers being released in a public report, which resulted in doxxing accusations.
SCOOP: TOP CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES LAUNCH PROBE INTO NASHVILLE MAYOR ACCUSED OF BLOCKING ICE
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell criticized ICE raids in Nashville, saying they are not focused on making the city safer, but instead leave the community fearing law enforcement interaction. (Getty Images)
"They were already part of a public record by being in the Department of Emergency Communication's calls, so I don't think it puts them at additional risk. But it's also not an intention of the executive order under which those names are released," he added.
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Blackburn introduced the "Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act" earlier this month to make it illegal to release the name of a federal officer if there was an intention to "obstruct" criminal or immigration proceedings, which was a direct response to the O’Connell controversy and the recent 500% spike in assaults on ICE agents, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Besides the mayor, a recent hit-and-run case allegedly perpetrated by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant in Nashville made national waves, as the suspect is still at large.
Fox News' Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-gop-senator-gets-inside-look-ices-dangerous-mission-agents-battle-surge-assaults