Tennessee Highway Patrol Class Action Lawsuit, Were You Stopped as Part of an Immigration Sweep?

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Davidson County Chancery Court against the Tennessee Highway Patrol, claiming its practice of systematic roadway stops violates people’s constitutional rights. If you were pulled over by THP troopers in Nashville or Memphis — especially in South Nashville’s Antioch neighborhood or anywhere in Shelby County — this lawsuit may directly affect you.

Quick Facts: Tennessee Highway Patrol ICE Lawsuit

Field	Detail
Lawsuit Filed	May 20, 2026
Defendant	Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)
Alleged Violation	Fourth Amendment (unreasonable seizures), Equal Protection Clause (racial profiling)
Who Is Affected	Motorists stopped by THP during joint operations with ICE in Davidson and Shelby Counties
Current Court Stage	Newly filed — active litigation phase
Court & Jurisdiction	Davidson County Chancery Court, Tennessee
Lead Organization	Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC); Senior Counsel Mike Holley
Next Hearing Date	TBD — no hearing scheduled yet as of filing date
Official Case Website	TBD — pending court assignment
Last Updated	May 20, 2026

What the Tennessee Highway Patrol Is Accused of Doing

The lawsuit alleges the Highway Patrol is ordering troopers to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to “deliberately and systematically” pull over people in search of civil immigration violations. The “tag-team” enforcement tactic allegedly 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 is outside the scope of THP’s statutory powers.

The complaint describes the arrangement plainly: THP troopers can detain motorists for traffic violations while ICE agents generally cannot. ICE agents can detain people for civil immigration violations while THP troopers cannot. So these agencies operated in tandem — THP troopers stopped vehicles for alleged traffic violations when they suspected the motorists were noncitizens, and ICE agents either rode along or followed up immediately.

This is the kind of arrangement that consumer rights lawyers and civil liberties attorneys have argued turns routine traffic enforcement into something else entirely. The complaint calls it “subterfuge.” Plaintiffs argue that warrantless arrests following these traffic stops violate the Fourth Amendment, and that profiling motorists based on their ethnicity violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Related article: North Carolina Court of Appeals Dismisses ‘Fair Elections’ Gerrymandering Lawsuit Are NC Voters Left Without Recourse?

Are You Part of This Lawsuit? THP Traffic Stop Class Action Eligibility

If you were stopped by Tennessee Highway Patrol in Nashville or Memphis between May 2025 and today, read this carefully. Here is how to know if this lawsuit covers your situation.

You may be part of this class if:

• You were pulled over by THP troopers in Davidson County (Nashville) or Shelby County (Memphis) since May 2025
• You were questioned about your birthplace, citizenship, or immigration status during a routine traffic stop
• You were detained and handed over to ICE agents after a traffic stop
• You are a Tennessee taxpayer who objects to state resources being used for federal civil immigration enforcement
• You are a community member whose family was affected by these stops

You are likely NOT included if:

• Your traffic stop involved no immigration questioning and resulted only in a standard citation
• Your stop occurred outside Tennessee or outside the relevant time period
• You were stopped as part of a criminal investigation unrelated to immigration enforcement

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of TIRRC members and seven taxpayer plaintiffs, described as community leaders, activists, and citizens from across Tennessee. The plaintiffs argue the enforcement tactics have intimidated immigrant communities and separated families. Understanding your class action eligibility here is important — if you were stopped, you may already be part of the class without doing anything.

What Operation Flood the Zone Was — and Why It Started This Fight

This lawsuit did not appear out of nowhere. It grew directly out of a specific THP-ICE operation in Nashville in May 2025.

THP and ICE partnered up and conducted an operation overnight on May 4 and 5, 2025, in South Nashville, resulting in 369 traffic stops, 11 arrests, and 94 individuals detained by ICE, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The enforcement efforts continued for multiple days and saw well over 500 stops total.

In all, the state highway patrol reported stopping 588 vehicles on local streets in Davidson County’s Antioch/South neighborhood, producing 103 arrests of people suspected of immigration violations. During Operation Flood the Zone, THP troopers stopped more than 600 vehicles and wrote only 48 traffic citations. That ratio — more than 600 stops, fewer than 50 traffic tickets — is central to what plaintiffs argue in this racial profiling lawsuit.

More than 50 hours of body camera footage showed troopers questioning drivers and passengers about where they were born. In some of the more than 200 videos, troopers pressed drivers for a more believable answer if there was any hint of an accent.

The THP’s presence in Shelby County was increased dramatically in September 2025 as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a combination of local, state, and federal agencies ordered by President Donald Trump. Plaintiffs say the same tactics that played out in Nashville have continued in Memphis on a daily basis since then.

If you or someone you know was stopped during this period, speaking with a consumer rights lawyer about your options makes sense. You can also review our broader guide to consumer class action lawsuits and your rights for context on how these cases typically unfold.

What Plaintiffs Are Asking the Court to Do

This is not a settlement article. No money is available right now and no claim form exists yet. Here is what the plaintiffs have asked the court to order.

The suit asks the court to enjoin THP from participating in joint operations with immigration agents like Flood the Zone. It also seeks to enjoin THP from “directly or indirectly” telling troopers to make traffic stops based on race.

They are asking the court to declare the practices unlawful and prohibit THP from directing troopers to conduct traffic stops primarily for immigration investigations. In plain terms: they want a court order telling THP to stop.

The lawsuit does not currently seek monetary damages for class members. That could change as the case develops, but right now the goal is to stop the practice entirely.

What Should You Do If THP Stopped You During an Immigration Operation

Most people caught up in these stops do not need to take action right now to preserve their place in this lawsuit. But there are practical steps worth taking today.

• Save everything. Keep any citation, ticket, or paperwork you received during a THP stop in Nashville or Memphis since May 2025. Screenshots of dates, times, and locations matter.
• Write down what happened. If troopers asked about your birthplace or citizenship during a stop, document that now while it is fresh.
• Monitor this case. Check the Davidson County Chancery Court docket for updates as the case moves forward.
• Talk to a lawyer if you want to pursue individual claims. A free legal consultation with an immigration or civil rights attorney can help you understand whether your situation warrants separate action beyond this class lawsuit.
• Do not ignore notices. If TIRRC or the court sends notice to affected motorists, respond promptly.

For Tennessee residents looking for related context, our article on what to know about racial profiling lawsuits and your constitutional rights walks through how Fourth Amendment claims work in plain English.

THP–ICE Lawsuit: Timeline of Key Events

Milestone	Date
Operation Flood the Zone (Nashville)	May 4–10, 2025
TIRRC files first lawsuit (public records)	August 14, 2025
Davidson County judge rules on records	November 10, 2025
Memphis Safe Task Force launched	September 2025
TIRRC files current lawsuit (constitutional challenge)	May 20, 2026
Class certification motion	TBD — no motion filed yet
Next scheduled hearing	TBD — pending court assignment
Expected resolution timeline	TBD — civil rights injunction cases typically take 12–24 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a lawsuit against the Tennessee Highway Patrol for immigration stops?

Yes. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Davidson County Chancery Court, alleging troopers have unlawfully collaborated with federal immigration agents during traffic stops. The case was filed May 20, 2026 and is in its opening stage.

Do I need to do anything right now to be included in this lawsuit?

Not necessarily. Class members in civil rights injunction cases are typically included automatically once a class is certified by the court. Save your records from any THP stop, and watch for court notices. You do not need to file anything today to preserve your potential rights.

When will a settlement be reached in this Tennessee Highway Patrol case?

TBD — no settlement has been proposed. This case was just filed. Civil rights cases seeking injunctive relief can take one to two years or more to reach resolution, depending on court scheduling and whether THP contests the claims.

Can I file my own lawsuit against THP instead of joining this class action?

Yes. If you believe your constitutional rights were violated during a THP-ICE traffic stop, you have the right to consult a civil rights attorney about filing an individual claim. An individual lawsuit runs separately from this class action. A free legal consultation with a civil rights or immigration attorney can help you weigh your options.

How will I know if this THP lawsuit settles?

Monitor the Davidson County Chancery Court docket and the TIRRC website at tnimmigrant.org for official updates. If a settlement is reached, class members will receive notice by mail or court publication.

What exactly did THP troopers do wrong during these stops?

Body camera footage showed troopers questioning drivers and passengers about where they were born, and in some cases pressing drivers for a more believable answer if there was any hint of an accent. Plaintiffs argue this crosses the constitutional line from traffic enforcement into racial profiling.

Was THP acting within its legal authority during these immigration operations?

Plaintiffs say no. Senior counsel for TIRRC, Mike Holley, said the tactic has essentially turned some state roadways into immigration checkpoints and wasted THP resources that should be spent making those roadways safer. THP told WBIR it does not comment on pending litigation.

Sources & References

• Tennessee Lookout — Immigrant rights group sues Tennessee Highway Patrol over motorist stops, May 20, 2026: tennesseelookout.com
• Nashville Banner — Lawsuit challenges Tennessee Highway Patrol’s ICE collaboration, May 19, 2026: nashvillebanner.com
• NewsChannel 5 (WTVF) — TIRRC sues Tennessee Highway Patrol over ICE collaboration, May 20, 2026: newschannel5.com
• WBIR — TIRRC files lawsuit against THP challenging partnership with ICE, May 20, 2026: wbir.com
• Tennessee Coalition for Open Government — Nashville judge rejects one argument for withholding immigration sweep records, November 10, 2025: tcog.info

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against official court records and verified news sources on May 20, 2026. Last Updated: May 20, 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.