TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition - Front Page

We're Marching to DC for America, Join us today!

2010-03-05T17:54:16Z

REGISTRATION TO GET ON A BUS ENDS MONDAY THE 15TH.

In January, President Obama's State of the Union marked one year of inaction on our broken immigration system. During his campaign, then-candidate Barack Obama promised to address comprehensive immigration reform in year one. One year later we are still waiting.

It is time to stop stalling, stop talking, and to start leading!

On March 21st, 100,000 marchers from across the nation will descend on Washington, DC to make history and demand Comprehensive Immigration Reform

TIRRC wants to send at least 5 Busloads of Tennesseans to deliver our message to President Obama and our Representatives that “Change Takes Courage”

There is no cost to getting on a bus. We are asking people to help us fundraise so anyone may go.

www.tnimmigrant.org/march

BLOG POST: Immigrant Integration Starts with a Welcome

2010-03-03T16:34:36Z

By 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.

Click to read more...

Middle TN Immigration Reform Community Meeting

2010-03-03T15:30:55Z

Date/Time: Saturday, March 13th from 2-4pm

Location: TIRRC Office, 446 Metroplex Dr., Building A, Suite 224, Nashville, TN

Help us send 5 charter buses to DC to send a message to Congress and the President that "Change Takes Courage. America Needs Immigration Reform NOW!"

Join the Middle TN group organizing for CIR and the immigrant community throughout the state.

In order to pass a bill that reflects our values, we will need to invest a lot of time and energy to move our members of Congress. But we can’t do it alone. Community leadership will be the key that opens the door to real, meaningful reform.

We encourage anybody who wants to take leadership in their community around immigration reform to attend, and bring other interested friends.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Questions? Contact us

TIRRC's Lobby Day! New American Day on the Hill 2010

2010-02-28T21:22:00Z

Wednesday, March 31st

Join us for TIRRC's 4th Annual advocacy day, New American Day on the Hill! This is your opportunity to meet with your state senator and representative and let them know how you feel about issues affecting the lives of Tennessee's immigrant and refugee communities.

Click here to read more

TIRRC Welcomes New President, Vice-President, And 3 New Members To Its Board Of Directors

2010-02-27T18:02:35Z

Nashville, TN – The Board of Directors of the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) will welcome a new President, Vice-President and 3 new Board Members this Saturday, February 27^th, at the first TIRRC Board Meeting of 2010. The Board of Directors is chosen by TIRRC members at the TIRRC Convention, held annually at the end of every year.

Reflections on a Weekend of Solidarity with TN Muslims

2010-02-15T15:16:23Z

In an attempt to heal the wounds of "Inside Islamville" and Wednesday’s vandalism, the Muslim community and allies from throughout Nashville participated in two events this past weekend. The first was a gathering Friday morning to re-paint the walls of Al-Farooq (see pictures). On Saturday, a larger group of people participated in one of the Islamic Center of Nashville's quarterly Open Houses, in which representatives of the community talked about the faith of Islam.

The Tennessean also covered the weekend events:

The response Saturday focused on the core values of Islam: peace and love for others, no matter what their creed, color or status may be.

"Like many other faiths, Islam (says) do what's right, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless," said Abdelghani Barre, president of the Islamic Center of Nashville on 12th Avenue South.

"But it also forbids what's evil, such as hate and violence. … Let's find a common understanding as humans and challenge those who use religion to speak their hatred and commit violence."

That's why Matt Schaller of Nashville participated.

"What happened last week ... to me, there's just no place for that," said Schaller, a Catholic.

All in all, this past weekend was an inspiring display of unity by Nashville residents of all faiths, determined to put this week behind us and reaffirm our identity as a Welcoming City and a Welcoming State. Sometimes it takes the violence/extremism of the few to demonstrate the goodness of the many.

I am still proud to live in Tennessee.

"Muslims Go Home," Al-Farooq Mosque in Nashville Vandalized With Hate Speech

2010-02-10T21:48:23Z

Click for more pictures

On February 10th, 2010, Al-farooq Masjid of Nashville, TN was vandalized with religiously motivated hate-speech spray painted on their outside walls. Whoever did this also left a hand written letter at the Al-farooq Youth Center that said ugly things about Muslims and Islam.

This event is particularly troubling as it comes on the heels of a sensationalist report by News Channel 5 this past weekend about a long-time Muslim community in Dover, TN, who they initially insinuated as having links to terrorists. The Muslim community in TN has faced what seems like an onslaught of hatred and violence since 9/11, from individuals and groups determined to enforce their rigid worldviews on a peaceful Muslim Americans. It’s vital that news organizations remind Tennesseans that when it comes to hate speech and violence, Muslims in TN are on the receiving end. The majority of people in Tennessee want to welcome our new neighbors with open arms. Unfortunately, based on the rhetoric of hate groups, extremist radio personalities and sensationalist media, you would think exactly the opposite.

May us all live peacefully together.

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MORE INFO/COVERAGE:

Pictures of the Vandalism

Faiths unite after vandals deface mosque | The Tennessean

After Sensationalized TV Report, Vandals Strike Nashville Mosque | Nashville Scene

Community reaches out to local Islamic Center after hate crime | City Paper

Tonight on Channel 5: Some Say They’re Terrorists… | Columbia Journalism Review

Tennessee Haitian Community Sends Prayer to Haiti, Asks Tennesseans To Continue Their Support

2010-01-18T21:02:26Z

On Tuesday, Jan. 19th, members of Haitian community in Tennessee will hold a press conference at the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene to thank Tennesseans for their prayers and continued support of the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

There are currently over 2,000 Haitians living in Tennessee who have been affected by this tragedy. Some have lost up to seven family members in this devastating earthquake. Representatives of the Haitian community in Tennessee have come together to organize this press conference to show their appreciation to all those who've supported the earthquake survivors in Haiti. They would also like to share personal testimony, as they call on Tennesseans to continue to support rescue efforts for the millions of Haitians still suffering.

The event begins at 10:30 am at the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene on 510 Woodland Street Nashville, TN 37206.

Please join us to show your support for our Haitian neighbors!

A New Generation of Students Fights for the Right to Higher Learning

2010-01-04T16:53:43Z

Great article in the Nashville Scene about undocumented students in TN, the DREAM Act, and the TIRRC campaign to secure Rep. Cooper's support of reform. Click "Read more" to check out the full article.

By: Kyle Swenson

...Immigration status is fodder these days for school-hall taunts, in part because the public education system is facing a growing gulf between undocumented students and those born here.

According to Oscar—who's been a student in the Metro school system since kindergarten—he never really considered himself, or was treated by others, as different. That changed, he says, in high school, when college became a conversation topic. All of a sudden, a Social Security number was the key to higher education—splitting the student body into the haves and have-nots.

"My freshman year, that's when everything just changed," he says. "Everyone started talking about college, the ACT and the SAT. I just felt out of place with everyone."

Immigration Reform Bill Introduced in U.S. House!

2009-12-15T18:18:34Z

Today, Representatives of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, The Congressional Asian and Pacific Americans Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Progressive Caucus joined Congressman Luis Gutierrez, to introduce the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security Act and Prosperity” (CIR ASAP) in the House of Representatives. The bill is a step up the legislative ladder, bringing Congress closer to fulfilling the President’s promise to reform the immigration system.

“Today was a big step in the right direction,” said Stephen Fotopulos, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. “Tennesseans want our leaders to solve tough problems. We want practical solutions to our broken immigration system that reflect our best values and uphold our traditions as a nation of fair and sensible laws. Now it’s time for the Senate to act.”

Take Action!
Tell Congress to support the CIR ASAP Act!

If you want to promote phone calls into the White House, please use the numbers below:
English: 866-584-0773
Spanish: 866-974-8813