BlogBloghttp://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/2010-06-11T17:12:42ZSquarespaceSUPPORT THE COALITION OF IMMOKALEE WORKERS!http://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/support-the-coalition-of-immokalee-workers.htmlTIRRC admin2010-06-11T17:03:18Z2010-06-11T17:03:18ZCALL ON PUBLIX GROCERY STORE TO DO THE RIGHT THING


Rally at Publix Grocery Store's Grand Opening in Nashville

Wednesday, June 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

6614 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209


CONTACT: Matt Leber - mattleber75@gmail.com, 615 414-3788

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) is a community-based organization of mainly Latino, Mayan Indian and Haitian immigrants working in low-wage jobs throughout the state of Florida.

As part of the Campaign for Fair Food, the CIW has won agreements with Taco Bell, Burger King, McDonalds, Whole Foods, Aramark and others.  In order to address the subpoverty wages and abuses in their own supply-chain, these corporations have agreed to pay a price premium of an extra penny per pound of tomatoes, directly to the farmworkers.  They have also agreed to contract with growers that will comply with a worker-developed and worker-implemented code-of-conduct.

By contrast, PUBLIX has refused to meet or talk with CIW.  Here in Nashville, PUBLIX is opening a grocery store on June 16th.  Help us educate the public, their employees and their newest potential consumers.


We as consumers can make a difference.  We as allies to those who pick our food can make a difference.

PLEASE BE THERE.

For more information: www.ciw-online.org

 

]]>Sara's DREAM Act Storyhttp://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/saras-dream-act-story.htmlTIRRC admin2010-05-26T16:02:08Z2010-05-26T16:02:08ZMy name is Sara. I was born in Nayarit, Mexico. My parents brought me to the U.S when I was only 3 months old. I have been ever since; growing up in this country is what makes me who I am. I am now 16 years old and a junior in high school. Every day I go to school, all I hear is what college everybody is going to and where I plan to go. My mom and dad decided to move to the U.S because they wanted a better future for themselves and their children. The main reason that we still live here is simply because it has become our country. It is filled with opportunities and freedom and we have lived here for as long as we can recall and have earned the honor of saying that. We’ve come to love and honor this country.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always felt like an American. I do things Americans do, I talk the way Americans do, I say the Pledge of Allegiance everyday as every other American student does, and I have dreams like every American. Being American doesn’t just consist of you being here legally, but also all the great things you have done for this country. It means more than just a paper with lettering on it. It means having love, respect, and honor for your country. 

As somebody who has worked so hard in school for every A+ and B+, I most certainly think that I deserve to feel as if it is worth something at the end. Staying up late and studying for my Biology AP test the next morning or for any other advanced and honors class, is well worth being considered an American. I, as a Hispanic student, put as much effort and desire in school as much as my fellow American friends.

]]>Sending The Wrong Message At The Wrong Time for TNhttp://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/sending-the-wrong-message-at-the-wrong-time-for-tn.htmlTIRRC admin2010-05-24T18:52:00Z2010-05-24T18:52:00ZTN Legislators have approved resolution HJR 1253 to "commend" Arizona for their much maligned bill SB 1070, which mandates racial profiling (among other terrible things) in an misguided attempt to enforce federal immigration laws.

See for yourself. Here's an excerpt:

WHEREAS, on April 19, 2010, the Arizona State Legislature passed the "Support Our
Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," which Governor Jan Brewer signed into law on
April 23, 2010, calling the measure "another step forward in protecting the State of Arizona";

...

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that this body hereby honors and commends the State of Arizona....

Yes, this resolution does nothing. Yes, there are more dangerous bills to worry about. Yes, this is just politics at its worst.

But, that's not the point.

The impact of this resolution is to send a message about TN's position in this national debate. And if that's the case, it couldn't be coming at a worse time.

Since the passage of SB1070, Arizona's tourism industry has taken a significant hit. At least 23 events have been cancelled in the last few weeks, costing the state of Arizona between $6 and $10 million already. Here are some notable examples of the backlash:

  • San Francisco and St. Paul have banned public employees from traveling to Arizona on business. Los Angeles, and Oakland are considering similar actions. (source)
  • Boston, New York, San Diego, and other cities passed boycotts or resolutions condemning Arizona, with considerations to future economic action. (source)
  • Gov. Rick Perry of Texas (R-TX) and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) joined other conservative governors condemning the law, and refusing to sign similar legislation if introduced in their own states. (source)
  • The Republican National Convention decided against Arizona, opting to take the 2012 convention to Tampa Bay, FL. (source)
  • The Major League Baseball Players Association has issued a statement condemning SB1070, and the MLB is reportedly considering pulling the 2011 All-Star game out of the state, which could cost Arizona $150 million. (source)
  • Just last week, Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon announced that his city was facing a "near economic crisis" because of SB1070 and the subsequent national boycott. A study was presented to the city council which estimated that Phoenix stood to lose upwards of $90 million dollars, in a worst case scenario. (source)

Why do we need to put Tennessee's name on something that is not only drawing serious criticism from all quarters, but also losing the State of Arizona significant tourism and income?  We have enough of our own problems to be attaching our name to someone else's disaster.

Make no mistake, this economic  fallout is coming because SB 1070 is mean-spirited, borderline unconstitutional, and targeted specifically at non-white immigrants. There are many businesses and institutions that are unwilling to support such a racially divisive piece of legislation. Creating new laws that mandate racial profiling is a step backwards for this country. It does not reflect our American values of equality and fairness.

The passage of HJR 1253 sends a clear message to all those businesses who have boycotted Arizona (or are considering boycotting Arizona) to please add TN to their list of unfriendly, unwelcoming states. As the boycott movement continues to grow, this resolution could certainly help institutions decide which additional states to avoid doing business with.

We should say one good thing about SB1170: It's trying to fill a void left by a federal government unwilling to reform our broken immigration system. It is filling that void with racism and failed enforcement tactics - but at least you can understand the desire of many folks to do something about our broken system.

Let's hope that Congress and the White House are paying attention. Because until Washington finds the courage to tackle immigration reform, we will be left with states coming up with their own "solutions."

Regardless of the cost.

]]>It never ceases to amaze mehttp://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/it-never-ceases-to-amaze-me.htmlTIRRC admin2010-05-13T21:41:37Z2010-05-13T21:41:37ZSo the Tennessean had a front-page story today about how some immigrants are being left behind in the wake of last week's historic flood.

It was a pretty good article that touched on a number of angles, including:

  • Recent Egyptian-immigrant familes at Millwood Manor who not only lost everything, but were exploited by their apartment management company
  • A largely immigrant community in Antioch which lost 44 mobile homes in the flood - and how some of those families were terrified of contacting authorities for help because of their immigration status

Definitely an important story, and one that engenders feelings of empathy and goodwill...

...for most people.

"I suggested this morning that now would be a good time for some of you illegal lovers to take some illegals home to live with you and your family. Just wondered how many of you have went and brought a few home with you? Hmmmmm, that's what I figured."

"If you have knowledge of illegals using fake or borrowed SS numbers I am sure Homeland Security will want to talk with you."

So if i was on the run from the cops i should expect everyone to help me? How about if i snuck in to Iran, china, or any other country and my home was damaged. would i expect everyone to say "help the guy who broke in. don't worry that he is breaking the law."

Those are comments left by folks on the Tennessean website.

Part of my job at TIRRC involves monitoring the media, and that means occasionally reading through the online comment sections of articles. Anyone who was done this understands the utter depravity that exists in anonymous online messageboards. It can be downright depressing.

But, seriously? Have those people no sympathy in the face of disaster? It's just sad. I'm not even going to bother countering those arguments. I just needed to get it off my chest.

I will say that there were some people defending humanity in the comment section. It's dissapointing that voices of sanity are outnumbered - but the fact that they exist keeps me going!

To leave you on a good note...

These are human beings in need. Forget their status for now and help them. Would you let them drown if you saw them in the water? What kind of people are you?

]]>Immigrants are Still Fighting for ‘Liberty and Justice for All’http://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/immigrants-are-still-fighting-for-liberty-and-justice-for-al.htmlTIRRC admin2010-03-19T17:27:08Z2010-03-19T17:27:08ZTennessee Editorial Forum

By Jaime Gonzalez

My parents are Americans. They are citizens of this great country, which they are proud to call home. They are also immigrants.

My father immigrated to this country from Mexico in 1972 when he was 18 years old. At the time he wanted little more than to provide for his growing family. My mother, then pregnant with my oldest brother, had come over a few months earlier. Before crossing the border my dad was told to squeeze into the spare tire compartment of a station wagon as they drove through customs in Tijuana. For over an hour he prayed and thought of his young wife while trying not to inhale too much of the exhaust that was seeping in from the tail pipe.

That night he slept in a country where dreams come true; a country where people from all over the world are literally risking death just to live here.

The next day my father went to work at a plant nursery earning $1.35 an hour. He worked there for five years. In 1977 he started working for General Motors where he drove cars off the assembly line. It was a turning point in his life: my dad didn’t have to hide in the spare tire compartment anymore.]]>Immigrant Integration Starts with a Welcomehttp://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/immigrant-integration-starts-with-a-welcome.htmlTIRRC admin2010-03-03T16:24:57Z2010-03-03T16:24:57ZBy Stephen Fotopulos

Posted Originally at the US Immigration Integration Network

“Immigration to this country is increasing...from races most alien to the body of the American people.”

“[These immigrants], half of whom have no occupation and most of whom represent the rudest form of labor," are "people whom it is very difficult to assimilate and do not promise well for the standard of civilization in the United States...they have no interest or stake in the country, and they never become American citizens.”

In Tennessee, you can turn on conservative talk radio any day of the week and hear these sentiments echoed. But the statements above were made by a US Representative from Massachusetts named Henry Cabot Lodge, and he said them in 1891. He was talking about the immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, some of the very people who made their new homes in Tennessee a hundred years ago. We are a proud nation of immigrants, but there have always been those who sound the alarm when the newcomers look or sound too different. And people tend to listen.

Most Americans recognize the foundational role immigrants have played in building this country, but has immigration now been relegated to the tattered pages of history books? Does the immigrant experience continue to be a vital element in the character and strength of the nation? What do the immigrants of today promise for the continued prosperity of this country, and what do US-born citizens expect in return for sharing the American dream with newcomers? These are questions essential to the welcome we give today’s immigrants, and a community’s responses can determine the success and speed of immigrant integration.

]]>Ivan's Story - DREAM Testimonialhttp://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/ivans-story-dream-testimonial.htmlTIRRC admin2009-11-09T21:16:52Z2009-11-09T21:16:52ZMy name is Ivan, I came to the U.S. when I was about eleven years old. My family and I left our homeland in search of more opportunities and a better future. Life was pretty much normal for me until I started high school; only then did I slowly started realize that I wasn’t like the rest of my fellow classmates.My world changed in a matter of months; graduation came around and everyone moved on to college while I stayed in the same spot not knowing what to do.

Life as an undocumented student is far from easy. How is it that we, the youth, should be punished for the decisions our parents made? I cannot work, drive, or go to school. I cannot lead a normal life due to the simple fact that I don’t have a Social Security Number. The DREAM act is important to me because it is the only way I can achieve my biggest goals, the only way I can give back to this country I now call my home.

The DREAM Act is a piece of legislation that would help many undocumented students go to college and become citizens of the United States.  It won’t give them any sort of special treatment; it will just let them have a better chance at a brighter future. School for an undocumented student without the DREAM Act is nearly impossible since they have to pay out of state tuition. So many students, whether it be your friends, your neighbors, maybe even one of your family members are unable to further their education after high school which is why this piece of legislation is so important.

Everyone deserves an education no matter where you’re from or what papers you do or do not have. Here in Middle Tennessee we have a group of students, teachers and allies called the Nashville DREAM Act Committee. The main goal of our campaign is to convince Representative Cooper to co-sponsor the DREAM Act, to take leadership and encourage others to do the same. We’ve been doing a lot of different things like: outreach, calling, emailing, going on radio shows, even actions in front of Cooper’s office, etc.

But, we still have a long way to go, which is why we need all the help we can get. If you’re interested in being a part of the Committee or supporting this movement in other ways, please contact Elias Feghali at elias@tnimmigrant.org or call him at 615-833-0384 (ext. 104).

 ]]>Let's restore fairness to this broken systemhttp://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/lets-restore-fairness-to-this-broken-system.htmlTIRRC admin2009-11-02T20:29:30Z2009-11-02T20:29:30Z

“Restore Fairness” produced by Breakthrough in association with 26 leading organizations, calls for the U.S. government to bring back due process and fairness to the immigration system. The video features the powerful voices of Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren and Lucille Roybal-Allard, Judges Dana Marks, Bruce Einhorn, civil society leaders Anthony Romero, Donald Kerwin, Karen Narasaki and Mallika Dutt as well as three very compelling personal stories with Jean-Pierre Kamwa, an asylum seeker from Cameroon, June Everett who lost her sister to immigration detention, and Walter Chavez and Ana Galindo, legal permanent residents who were victims of a warrantless home raid.  

Watch this story and take action to ensure that the U.S. government restores due process and fairness to our immigration system!

For more information, visit: restorefairness.org

]]>There is no better time than the present… to become a US Citizen!http://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/there-is-no-better-time-than-the-present-to-become-a-us-citi.htmlTIRRC admin2009-10-27T17:45:50Z2009-10-27T17:45:50ZAre you among thousands of eligible immigrants to become a US citizen?

There is no better time than the present… to become a US Citizen!

The Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition in partnership with the Catholic Charities of Guadalupe, Siskind Susser Bland and AB Law Group invites you to attend the Citizenship Assistance Workshop.

Date: November 21
Time: 10am-3pm             
Place: Catholic Charities at  Guadalupe Church
           3112 Nolensville Pike
           Nashville, TN 37211

Trained volunteers will be supervised by immigration attorneys to assist you in preparing your citizenship application (N400), answer questions, and provide study materials to prepare you for your citizenship examination!

Assistance is Free! Come Early! Space is Limited!

To apply for U.S. citizenship, you must:

]]>Upcoming Town Halls...http://www.tnimmigrant.org/blog/upcoming-town-halls.htmlTIRRC admin2009-08-20T19:41:57Z2009-08-20T19:41:57Z