Tuition Equality Now!

On May 19th, students from the Class of 2012 presented a special graduation gift to their peers: their commitment to fight for all Tennessee students to have the opportunity to go to college.  All over Tennessee, undocumented graduating seniors tied on blue ribbon bracelets to represent their promise to continue their education.  Community supporters around Tennessee, the United States, and even other countries also put on blue ribbons, pledging to ensure education for all students by bringing tuition equality to Tennessee.

Click here to support Tuition Equality!

2012 Legislative Wrap Up

On Tuesday, May 1st, the 107th General Assembly adjourned, finishing the second year of their two-year session. Most members of the legislature were eager to return to their newly drawn districts to prepare for the upcoming campaign. While immigration in some ways took the backseat to other social issues in terms of heated rhetoric and media coverage, a handful of lawmakers continued to pursue a clear anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim agenda. TIRRC and its allies across the state fought hard to defeat or minimize the impact of all legislation proposed that would have a negative impact on immigrant refugee communities in Tennessee.

Click here to read TIRRC's 2012 Legislative Overview summarizing all the bills that were debated this session.

Leaders in Knoxville Stand Up Against 287(g)!

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/apr/13/crowd-protest-immigration-enforcement-proposal/

Charter School Bill Bans International Teachers

Charter School Bill Bans International Teachers -- Puts Federal Funding for Education at Risk Nashville - SB3345, the “Ban on International Teachers Act,” narrowly passed the Senate yesterday afternoon despite vocal opposition and unanswered questions regarding its purpose and intent. The legislation, drafted by a special interest group called the Tennessee Eagle Forum, establishes arbitrary restrictions on the nationality and ethnicity of teachers, and denies charter schools the ability to hire qualified teachers on work visas. SB3345's counterpart in the House, HB3540, was delayed due to bipartisan concerns surrounding the possibility of a Title VI violation that would jeopardize federal funds used for education.

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