From Quiet County to Federal Target: ICE in Wilson County, TN
In Wilson County, Tennessee, a place long seen as a quiet rural community removed from the reach of federal policy, that sense of distance is beginning to disappear. Under the administration of Donald Trump, immigration enforcement is no longer something happening in faraway cities. It is now unfolding here at home. In recent weeks, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, have been seen operating at the Wilson County courthouse. Their presence appears to be focused on busy court days, when more people are required to appear. This activity comes after the county sheriff confirmed that in January, Wilson County entered into a 287(g) agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That agreement allows local law enforcement to work more closely with federal immigration officials. The community response has been immediate. After the Department of Homeland Security indicated it was considering purchasing property in the county, more than one hundred residents showed up to a County Commission meeting to speak out. At the February 13 meeting, speaker after speaker made it clear that they did not want an expanded ICE presence in Wilson County.
By March 24, those concerns had turned into something more direct. Community members reported that ICE agents were waiting outside the Wilson County Criminal Justice Center, positioned near the main entrance. According to multiple accounts, agents watched for people arriving for scheduled court appearances and detained some individuals before they were able to enter the building. Community leaders also stated that at least two of those detained had lawful work visas, raising concerns about who is being targeted and why. Video from the scene shows residents confronting agents and demanding that they release the individuals being detained. At times, agents stepped back to their vehicles but remained nearby, appearing to wait for more people to arrive for court. Roughly thirty five minutes later, another incident unfolded. A young man approached the courthouse for what was supposed to be his day in court. According to an on site observer, two masked agents got out of an unmarked vehicle and moved quickly to detain him. Witnesses said the agents did not clearly identify themselves before grabbing the man and forcing him to the ground as he called out for help.
Video of ICE at the Wilson County Criminal Justice Center. Video of a Resident Confronting the Agents.
People nearby began shouting for the agents to stop and leave him alone. One woman could be seen crying and pleading with them as the situation escalated. Deputies from the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office were present during the incident and appeared to help secure the scene while the arrest took place. Robert Bryan was also seen outside during the enforcement activity. At one point, a resident approached him and demanded to know why he was not intervening, questioning the department’s role in what was happening. The exchange reflected the growing tension between local officials and members of the community. For many in Wilson County, the events of March 24 marked a turning point. What once felt distant now feels immediate. Federal immigration enforcement is no longer an abstract issue. It is happening at the courthouse steps, in full view of the public.
In the aftermath of these events, we spoke with local leaders to better understand how officials are responding. Geri Ashley said she was opposed to what she described as violent ICE operations and emphasized that immigration laws can be enforced without putting people at risk or creating fear in the community. She told us she plans to look into what actions, if any, the city can take and that she intends to speak with the police chief to confirm whether local law enforcement is working with ICE and to gather more information. We also attempted to speak with Rick Bell, but were unable to secure time with him that day. A representative from his office told us they were not aware of ICE activity in Lebanon or at the courthouse prior to our inquiry. They said they would look into the situation and ensure the mayor was informed. When we contacted the office of Randall Hutto, we were told that there was little the county mayor could do directly and that questions about enforcement should be directed to the sheriff. Repeated attempts to reach the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office for comment were unsuccessful. Calls went unanswered, and on multiple attempts, we were unable to leave a voicemail after the line disconnected. As of publication, the sheriff has not publicly responded to these incidents or to concerns raised by members of the community.
What emerges is a picture of limited local accountability and unclear lines of authority. City officials appear to be seeking answers but acknowledge there are limits to what they can do without coordination from the state or county. At the county level, leadership has largely deferred responsibility, pointing back to the sheriff’s office, which has yet to provide public comment. This stands in contrast to the visible response from the community. Residents have spoken out at public meetings, confronted agents in real time, and continue to demand clarity about what is happening in their county. Many are not just asking for answers but calling for an end to ICE presence altogether. The divide between residents and local leadership is becoming more apparent. While county officials have previously stated opposition to the idea of an ICE detention facility, that position has not translated into broader action on enforcement activity now taking place. At the city level, officials took a more formal step during earlier discussions by passing a resolution opposing the construction of an ICE facility in Lebanon. While largely symbolic in terms of enforcement power, it represents a clearer public stance than what has been seen at the county level.
As enforcement actions continue, many residents are left with the same question. If federal immigration operations are happening in full view of the public, and local officials say their power is limited, then who is accountable to the people of Wilson County?
