Federal judge denies request to block Highway Patrol traffic stops conducted in tandem with ICE

A federal judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would prevent the Tennessee Highway Patrol from conducting pretextual traffic stops in tandem with federal immigration agents.

Official response and confirmed impact

U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger ruled the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition had not made a "clear showing" it was entitled to the injunction at this stage of the litigation.

The ruling came Wednesday. Trauger was nominated to the bench by then-President Bill Clinton in 1998.

The coalition, which filed suit in May against the Tennessee Highway Patrol and its oversight agency, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, is alleging the practice violates motorists' rights under the Fourth and 14th Amendments.

Seven Tennessee residents joined as plaintiffs.

Incident under investigation

In a swift ruling, issued one day after a court hearing to consider arguments over the injunction, Trauger expressed deep skepticism that the immigrant coalition could ultimately demonstrate that the cooperative traffic stops violated motorists' rights under the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The coalition had sought the injunction as part of its ongoing challenge to the constitutionality of state troopers conducting traffic stops of motorists suspected of being noncitizens and then allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents — riding along or stationed nearby — to demand immigration papers and detain drivers.