A nonprofit group supporting state immigration rights has filed a lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security seeking public records related to traffic stops that led to the arrest of hundreds of illegal immigrants earlier this year.

The 20-page lawsuit was filed by the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) on Aug. 14. The nonprofit says the records will shed light on "dubious efforts" by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to enforce federal immigration laws through traffic stops, interrogations and the detention of drivers on state roads.

The lawsuit claims the state has violated the Tennessee Public Records Act, as it has failed to produce video records and most of the nonprofit's requests for reports.

Lindsay Williams, a spokesperson with the Depart

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