Mayor Young Confirms MPD Working with ICE in October 2025

(MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE) Mayor Paul Young has confirmed that the Memphis Police Department is working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, telling Hispanic leaders in a tense meeting that MPD and ICE are cooperating as of October 2025. Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis joined the meeting, where community advocates pressed for clarity on how far that cooperation goes and what it means for immigrant families living in Memphis.

City officials did not provide details on whether cooperation involves sharing arrest information, responding to ICE detainer requests, or participating in joint operations. As of October 23, 2025, no formal description of the scope or limits of the partnership has been released. That gap left many attendees frustrated, according to people in the room, and fueled concern that local police involvement could lead to more fear in neighborhoods with mixed-status families.

National context and local uncertainty

The confirmation comes amid renewed national scrutiny of how local law enforcement engages with federal immigration enforcement. Across the United States, cities and counties have taken different paths:

• Some sign formal agreements with ICE to let local officers help with immigration checks.
• Others limit cooperation to meet legal obligations while avoiding actions that could discourage victims and witnesses from calling police.

The Memphis Police Department has not said whether its cooperation is based on a formal agreement or on case-by-case support.

“The lack of specific details can lead to broad anxiety,” say immigration attorneys in Memphis, especially in mixed-status homes where U.S. citizen spouses or children live with noncitizen family members.

Concerns raised at the meeting

Community leaders described the meeting’s tone as contentious, reflecting years of worry about how immigration enforcement shapes daily life. Attendees asked specific and urgent questions, such as:

• Could a routine traffic stop trigger immigration checks?
• Could reporting a crime expose someone’s immigration status?
• Will victims and witnesses be kept safe from immigration enforcement when they seek help?

Faith leaders and advocates pressed the mayor and the chief for public rules to protect victims and witnesses. City Hall did not announce new guidelines during the meeting.

Forms of local-federal cooperation

Nationally, ICE cites several forms of local-federal cooperation. These include:

• Data sharing between local agencies and ICE
• Officer training provided by federal authorities
• Participation in the federal 287(g) program, which allows certain local officers to perform limited immigration functions after ICE training

The City of Memphis has not said whether MPD is using any of these tools. For background on the federal program, see ICE’s page: https://www.ice.gov/identify-and-arrest/287g. That page explains the program’s structure and oversight, though it does not identify every local practice that can occur outside 287(g).

Impact on community trust and public safety

Immigration attorneys warn that uncertainty about MPD’s cooperation with ICE can keep people from:

• Reporting crimes
• Serving as witnesses
• Seeking help after domestic violence

Advocates urged City Hall to publish clear rules that explain when and how MPD shares information with ICE and to create a simple, public complaint process if families believe those rules were not followed.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, cities that share clear, plain-language policies often see better trust between immigrant residents and police, even when some cooperation with ICE exists. Transparency about specific actions—such as whether officers ask about place of birth or whether ICE requests are honored without a judicial warrant—helps families make informed choices about calling 911 and accessing victim services.

Practical guidance for families (current, basic steps)

For now, practical guidance remains straightforward but important:

• Continue to report crimes and seek medical or emergency help without delay.
• If you are an immigrant victim of a serious crime, certain immigration protections may be available, including options that support cooperation with law enforcement and offer relief from removal.
• Seek confidential advice from community legal clinics and trusted nonprofit organizations.
• Employers should remind workers that routine payroll and tax compliance do not, by themselves, place a business on an ICE enforcement list, though federal worksite audits can occur.

Local officials stress that MPD’s core mission is public safety, not civil immigration enforcement. Still, even limited cooperation can have wide effects if people fear that any police contact could lead to immigration checks.

Policies other cities have used

Police departments elsewhere have tried to balance public safety with community trust by adopting written rules such as:

• Limiting questions about immigration status during traffic stops
• Setting rules to honor detainer requests only with certain judicial documents
• Issuing department-wide memos that clarify when officers may interact with ICE

Memphis leaders have not announced whether similar policies are in place.

Why timing matters

The timing—October 2025—is significant because federal deportation priorities shift based on national policies, budgets, and leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. Local cooperation can expand or shrink as mayors, police chiefs, and sheriffs assess crime patterns and community trust.

Because these moving parts affect families in real time, immigrant households often seek predictable rules they can keep handy and consult if a loved one is stopped or questioned.

What advocates are asking for next

Advocates want clear, public action from the City of Memphis, including:

• A public statement outlining the specific MPD–ICE cooperation
• Data reporting on how often MPD interacts with ICE
• A public forum where residents can ask questions and receive answers in Spanish and other languages
• Clear assurances that victims and witnesses will be protected when they report crimes

Key questions residents are asking include:

1. Will MPD officers ask about immigration status during traffic stops or 911 calls?
2. Does MPD notify ICE when it books someone into jail, and under what legal authority?
3. Will MPD honor immigration detainer requests without a judicial warrant?
4. Are there written limits on joint operations, and who approves them?
5. How can a resident file a complaint if they believe policy was not followed?

Risks of continued uncertainty

Without public answers, speculation can spread quickly. Possible consequences include:

• Fewer crime reports
• Underuse of emergency services
• Increased fear in neighborhoods where trust is fragile

Conversely, cities that pair cooperation with strict guardrails and open reporting often see steadier confidence over time. Many community leaders in Memphis say the priority now is not debate over labels, but concrete rules people can read.

Practical precautions for families

Lawyers suggest these simple steps while awaiting official guidance:

• Carry a government-issued ID if you have one
• Know a trusted contact who can call an attorney
• Avoid signing documents you don’t understand
• Keep a family plan so children know whom to call in an emergency

These measures are basic but help families feel prepared while City Hall decides what to release publicly.

Next steps and timeline

The Memphis Police Department has not announced a timeline for sharing more information. Mayor Young’s office encouraged residents to watch for official updates. Community groups plan more meetings to gather stories and continue pressing for answers about the city’s cooperation with ICE.

The next few weeks could determine whether the policy becomes clearer—or whether fear continues to fill the gaps.