Citizen drops part of lawsuit over immigration detention

12:41 AM, Feb. 15, 2011

A United States citizen who said he was twice detained by the Davidson County Sheriff's Office under suspicion of being an illegal immigrant has dropped part of his lawsuit against the agency.

Immigration attorney Elliott Ozment filed a new complaint on behalf of Daniel Renteria-Villegas on Monday, dropping accusations that the sheriff's office falsely imprisoned him, harassed him and violated his rights.

The remaining complaint asks a Davidson County Chancery Court judge to block the sheriff from participating in the 287(g) immigration program, which allows jailers to interview, detain and begin charges against inmates suspected of illegally being in the U.S.

Ozment argues that Metro's 1963 charter, which strips the sheriff of most of his law enforcement powers, means he cannot legally participate in the 287(g) program.

Daron Hall is the Davidson County sheriff.

Renteria-Villegas, who was born in Portland, Ore., was held twice last summer on suspicion that he was an illegal immigrant, despite having a driver's license, Social Security number, birth certificate and passport, according to the lawsuit.

A hearing on the injunction is set for Feb. 25.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110 ... -detention