No Anti-Immigrant Bills Pass in 2013!

On Friday, April 19^th, the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned, marking the end of the first half of a two-year session. While this shorter-than-expected session will certainly be remembered for the growing pains of the new Republican supermajority, heated battles over education reform, and several mentions on national cable news, immigrant rights advocates will celebrate 2013 as a year when no anti-immigrant legislation passed.

Though a victory worth celebrating, the 2013 legislative session also forecasts the many challenges we can expect in 2014 and the expanding focus of anti-immigrant legislation in Tennessee.

Check out our full 2013 legislative review here.

Stay Up to Date on Immigration Reform!

Check out our "Immigration Reform" section to stay up to date on developments in the legislative process.

http://www.tnimmigrant.org/immigration-reform/

As our decision makers discuss the details of a bill that will reform our immigration system, over 1000 families are separated every day. Fani Gonzalez, a mother of 4, could be deported before our nation fixes its broken immigration system.  Watch her tell her story on channel 4 news.

TIRRC Members in DC for the A-10 Conference!

Fourteen TIRRC leaders went to DC to speak with their legislators about the importance of immigration reform and join the gathering on the Capitol's lawn of over 100,000 people. Below are their reflections on the journey and experience. 

Demi visits Washington

I think it was an event with much energy. Thousands in the fight shouting with the hope that their voices are heard; seeing the children singing "Yes we can, yes we can" to support their parents has made an impact on me. It was a great feeling, watching a multitude of people, a diversity of races, languages, colors, ages and physical conditions, all working hard using all resources to get the message to President Barack Obama, the senators and representatives: We want comprehensive immigration reform for 11 million people. We want to stop the deportations. We want an opportunity to be more productive.

I had the opportunity to speak with the staff of representatives and senators and told them a little about my personal history, as I too am affected by not having documents, and I look at my community with the same fear, I may face a deportation. The system we have is broken, yet we still pay taxes contribute to our country. We try to integrate positively to society but the documents we don't have limits us.

We live with the fear that our family will be separated from our communities. Right now, 1100 people are deported each day; hundreds of them are parents who were never married and cannot embrace their children anymore. This is why we are standing here in front, to make it possible for immigration reform. We are working hard for our security and inviting the community to unite in the fight with TIRRC, supporting immigration reform 100%.

Gloria Vera

TIRRC Applauds Introduction of Immigration Reform Proposal

PRESS STATEMENT

Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Contact: Eben Cathey, 615-775-1069 eben@tnimmigrant.org

TIRRC Applauds Introduction of Immigration Reform Proposal

Bill Provides Pathway to Citizenship for Over 100,000 Tennesseans

Nashville - The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) is encouraged by the introduction of legislation that would reform our nation's broken immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. This bipartisan bill drafted by the “Gang of Eight” Senators is an excellent starting point that recognizes the values of citizenship, workers’ rights, and family unity, and TIRRC will advocate to protect and advance these components as the legislation moves forward. TIRRC is deeply concerned with provisions that make the pathway to citizenship more difficult through arbitrary triggers, long waits, and high costs, as well as by provisions that may leave many immigrants out altogether—including LGBTQ family members, those charged with nonviolent criminal offenses, and immigrants who arrived after the cut-off date.

“Tennessee was the state with the third fastest growing immigrant population in the country over the last decade. Last year, Nashville was the city with the greatest increase in foreign-born population. We’ve seen and benefited from the economic engine of immigration and our whole state has been enriched by the growing cultural diversity. Tennessee really does have the most to gain from reasonable, commonsense solutions, and we should urge Senators Alexander and Corker to support this bill,” said Tom Negri, former President of both the Tennessee and Nashville Hospitality Associations.

“This legislation could change the lives of many in my congregation," said Juan Hernandez, Director of Hispanic Ministeries at our Lady of Fatima Church in Maryville. "I hope that as the Senators discuss the bill they will work to make a pathway to citizenship that is inclusive of all 11 million undocumented immigrants, including those who came here more recently and working families.  Some in my congregation would struggle to meet the financial requirements for legalization, but this is a huge step in the right direction.”

“The proposed legislation is a great start. I hope that as the Senate works on the bill they uphold our values of family unity. We must protect and preserve the provisions that advance family unity and reunification, including the right for deported family members to return. We must make sure that all families are included in immigration reform, including LGBTQ families,” said Alejandro Guizar of Knoxville.

"As the conversation for immigration reform continues, President Obama must put a stop to deportations. We cannot continue to deport 1,100 people every day who will have a pathway to citizenship when this bill becomes law," said Susannah Macaraeg, whose father is in deportation proceedings. "If this proposal became law, my dad would be able to live and work in the United States without fear as he watches me and my sister grow up. However, he could be deported before he has the chance to apply."

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