contested — May 2025 'Operation Flood the Zone' (ICE-THP): 600+ traffic stops in immigrant neighborhoods over 6-7 nights, ~196 arrests. Investigation revealed profiling and demeaning behavior. THP subsequently rejected all further ICE partnership requests (confirmed March 2026). TIRRC public-records lawsuit filed Aug 2025 in Davidson County Chancery; state 'under litigation' per Commissioner Long. April 2026: Tennessee legislature passed mandatory 287(g) bill (deadline Jan 1, 2027); Metro Legal advised Sheriff Daron Hall the law does not bind DCSO because he is not POST-certified. Mayor Freddie O'Connell's Executive Order 30 (mandatory ICE-interaction reporting) remains in force despite congressional investigations.

contested — 287(g) Jail Enforcement Model active since March 2025 (MOA signed). 117+ to ICE by May 2025; 159 transferred May–Oct 2025 (47% uptick over first four months of Trump term); 500+ arrested with unauthorized/unknown status in 2025. Sheriff Garrett declined ICE September 2025 request for 60 transit beds. Jan 2026: 100+ protest at commission meeting. Feb 2026: county commission and Chattanooga city council say they lack legal authority to end the sheriff's ICE partnership. Feb 26, 2026: Bradley County constables joined ICE raid in East Brainerd; Garrett said HCSO not involved. Mar 30, 2026: Garrett publicly defended partnership. Apr 22–23, 2026: TN legislature passed mandatory statewide 287(g) bill (HB2219) requiring all sheriffs to enter agreements by Jan 1, 2027; Garrett said the mandate 'wouldn't change anything' for Hamilton because HCSO was 'leading the way' — confirming Hamilton is fully aligned with state expansion plan. Garrett is running for re-election in 2026.

contested — County mayor declared state of emergency Oct 2025. Task force made 5,200+ total arrests through early Feb 2026, including 800+ immigrants — only 2% for violent crime. Detention center overcrowded (2,932 in 2,800-bed facility). 77% of ICE arrests in Shelby County had no criminal convictions. Anti-ICE march Jan 2026 met with THP aggression. Federal judge ordered release of Memphis student Yasser Lopez Soza on Apr 23, 2026.

blocked — ICE scrapped plans after all-Republican Wilson County Commission, Sen. Blackburn, and local officials opposed. Deal declared dead Feb 25, 2026.