NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A reported immigration enforcement operation took place in Nashville that left many detained.

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition said advocates and organizers confirmed what appears to be a coordinated overnight immigration enforcement operation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Saturday night into Sunday. The group said the roundup impacted at least 20 people.

Dozens of people stood around a bus with reported detainees on board taken into custody at the Department of Homeland Security, 501 Brick Church Park Drive, on Sunday afternoon. Some displayed hand gestures toward their loved ones on the bus, some held their babies, some held cell phones to document the moment, some beat their fists on the bus, while some cried.

"What I’ve heard anecdotally is deeply disturbing," said Representative Aftyn Behn, of what she calls a "coordinated and alarming immigration enforcement operation unfolded in the heart of Nashville’s immigrant and refugee communities."

ICE, THP and DHS were all at the scene when FOX 17 News arrived.

Behn said, "Videos, photos, and firsthand accounts point to ICE working in tandem with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to carry out what can only be described as a dragnet.

THP said in a statement that they partnered with federal agencies, including HSI and ICE, for a public safety operation in Davidson County - in areas with a history of serious traffic crashes and suspected gang activity. The TN Dept. of Homeland Security reiterated what they said.

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"Approximately 150 traffic stops were made by troopers for observed violations of traffic laws. In several cases, drivers were found without valid licenses or identification. Federal agents handled those situations, including immigration-related matters," said THP.

Some of the arrests made, according to THP, were for outstanding warrants, illegal guns, and drugs, including from suspected gang members.

Behn said THP's involvement "raises urgent and serious questions about THP’s role and authority in detaining Nashvillians for ICE." She continued, "THP officers should be focused on roadway safety, not detaining parents heading to drop their kids off at daycare or pulling over residents based on their appearance, language, or neighborhood."

However, THP said they remain focused on traffic safety and supporting operations that protect Tennesseans from broader criminal threats.

Lisa Sherman Luna, Executive Director at the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, released a statement:

Arbitrarily rounding up parents on their way home and workers traveling to their jobs does not make Nashville safer or stronger. Instead it shatters families, erodes trust in law enforcement, and leads to fear, trauma and isolation that weakens the collective fabric of our community. This is yet another unconscionable act of cruelty and abuse of power by ICE collaborating with state law enforcement that will have a devastating impact on families throughout Nashville and beyond. What's more, this operation—which was focused on a neighborhood with an established, vibrant immigrant population—reeks of racial profiling and unconstitutional discrimination. We demand transparency from all levels of law enforcement on the nature and scope of this operation as we fight to protect the rights of all who live and work in our community, regardless of their immigration status. The Trump administration, in collaboration with state and local agencies, is scaling up cruel and extreme immigration enforcement tactics in our very own communities. But community organizers, advocates, and organizations are on the ground supporting the impacted families with a clear vision of a Tennessee where all of us can belong and thrive, regardless of where we come from, how much money we make, or how we came to call Tennessee home. At this moment, our highest priority is ensuring that every person impacted has their fair day in court and that families can be reunited as soon as possible.

The bus with reported detainees is said to be on its way to Louisiana.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said they were not involved in the operation.