TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition - Front Page

Join the TIRRC Staff!

2010-07-13T18:09:55Z

TIRRC has just posted a new job opening! Click here for details and how to apply!

2010 TN Legislative Session Wrap-Up

2010-07-07T14:53:27Z

Just like last year, 2010 saw numerous efforts to criminalize and further marginalize members of the immigrant community. There were renewed attempts to burden all segments of society—nonprofit agencies, state employees, local sheriffs, educators, small business owners—with the complex task of verifying legal immigration documents. There were also several measures that would prevent immigrant students from attending community college, prevent immigrant mothers from receiving prenatal care, and prevent some US citizen children from registering their birth certificates in TN. Thanks to our collective efforts, we have been able to hold the line in Tennessee and prevent the sweeping, anti-immigrant legislation that has passed in other states.

If you "click to read more," you will find a description of some of the challenges and successes during the 2010 legislative session. Although there were several notable disappointments, we were able to defeat over 95% of the anti-immigrant bills this session and push the effective date of one bad bill until next year. Our efforts would not have been possible without the tireless work of immigrant leaders, our allies, and everyone who took the time to get involved.

Given the challenges this session, the increase in anti-immigrant legislation across the country, and the continued failure of Congress to fix our broken immigration system, it's clear that our struggle is far from over. As the campaign season heats up in Tennessee and the 2011 legislative session approaches, we ask that you please stay connected to the work and ready to take action.

Gov. Bredesen Signs SB1141/HB670 Despite Community Outcry

2010-06-29T19:13:51Z

Decision Exposes TN to Racial Profiling of Lawful Residents, Sheriffs Forced To Become Immigration Experts

More Info: SB 1141 Fact Sheet: Arizona-like Policy, Bad for TN (Updated Regularly)

Nashville, TN – On Monday afternoon, Governor Phil Bredesen signed SB 1141/HB 670into law. His decision comes despite a broad-based community campaign in oppositionand countless letters from community leaders throughout Tennessee, including the ACLU, Tennessee Senator Tim Barnes, the Bishop Diocese of Knoxville, and the Tennessee NAACP.

“We are disappointed that Governor Bredesen declined to show leadership on this incredibly important issue,” says Stephen Fotopulos, Executive Director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC). “More importantly, we are now left with a terrible piece of legislation that burdens local governments and fails to make our communities safer. There are smart, effective ways to enforce our nation’s immigration policies, and this new TN law includes none of them.”

“We all want solutions to our broken immigration system, but this law makes the problem worse by creating an impossible situation for our sheriffs,” says Fotopulos. “There are quite literally hundreds of conditions they will have to check to verify compliance with federal immigration rules. Without training or access to federal databases, jailers will be forced to profile everyone who looks or sounds foreign-bornand possibly flood immigration authorities with useless records. By passing this legislation, our state government has sent a clear message that it's okay for untrained law enforcement officers to treat any foreign national or non-white resident with heightened suspicion. The new law doesn’t go into effect until January of 2011, and jailers have a great deal of work ahead of them to prepare for this unfunded mandate."

As passed, SB 1141/ HB 670 requires that every jailer in the state inspect the immigration documents of every person detained, with no specialized training, funding, oversight, or access to federal immigration databases. Beyond asking questions about citizenship, SB1141 requires jailers to determine whether someone is in compliance with complex, federal immigration laws. For example, jailers would be required to inspect a detainee's papers to determine if a tourist or student visa is current or whether a petition for political asylum has been approved.

SB 1141 Fact Sheet: Arizona-like Policy, Bad for TN

2010-06-21T19:28:51Z

(LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN)

UPDATE: On Monday, June 28th, Gov. Bredesen signed SB1141/HB670 into law. It will not go into effect until January 1st, 2010. Click here to read TIRRC's official statement.

On June 9th, the Tennessee legislature passed HB670/SB1141, a bill mandating that every jailer in the state inspect the immigration documents of every person detained, with no specialized training, oversight, or access to federal immigration databases. Beyond asking questions about citizenship, SB1141 requires jailers to determine whether someone's immigration visa is still valid. For example, jailers would be required to inspect a detainee's papers to determine if a tourist or student visa is current or whether anfor political asylum has been approved.

By passing this bill, our general assembly has sent a message to people around the world that it's okay to subject foreign nationals to heightened suspicion and special interrogation. But Tennessee is not Arizona.

Register for the TIRRC Justice Project, TODAY!

2010-06-20T22:21:00Z

We're excited to announce that TIRRC will once again be orgnaizing the Justice Project this summer!

The Justice Project is an interaction leadership program for youth. We use activities, discussions, field trips, radio, games, theater, and film to learn about our communities, our history, and our rights.

The idea of the Justice Project is to provide interactive training in organizing, media and advocacy so that our young leaders can develop new skills and put them to use in our communities.The project was a success last summer and we graduated 24 incredible young leaders who completed more than 50 hours of training and community service.

Here are some of the reflections from last year’s graduates:

“Now I am more motivated and know what to do with my motivation!”

“I definitely changed a lot. The Justice Project came into my life when I was going through a rough time and it helped me cope through it.”

“It made me see that I can [make] a change for the better, not just in my community but even in the universe!”

Are you interested? Or do you know someone who might be?

Register today!

2010 Justice Project Flyer (feel free to distribute)

Recent HS Graduates Dramatize Lack of Access to College, Ask Cooper, Gordon, Corker for DREAM Act

2010-06-12T20:13:02Z

Recent high school graduates from Nashville Metro Schools will gather Monday at the East Branch Public Library to dramatize their lack of access to higher education.

The demonstration will conclude with students asking Representatives Cooper, Gordon, and Senator Corker to commit to supporting the DREAM act, a piece of federal legislation that would bring fair and equal opportunity for thousands of Tennessee’s youth. As the focal point of the event, the students will put on a powerful skit which demonstrates how thousands of immigrant students who have lived in Tennessee the majority of their lives will be denied equal opportunity to pursuing their futures in the country they call home.

Join TIRRC June 14^th, 2010 from 1:30pm - 2:30pm at East Branch Public Library, 206 Gallatin Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Letter to the Governor of TN from TIRRC

2010-06-09T18:25:32Z

Below is the letter sent to Governor Phil Bredesen from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition regarding House Bill 2685, English-Only Policies in the Workplace. Click letter to see full version. Clik aqui para espanol.

Citizenship Workshop in Shelbyville

2010-06-03T18:51:18Z

On Saturday, May 22, 2010, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, in partnership with El Centro Latino, Catholic Charities of Guadalupe, and Siskind, Susser, and Bland, held a free citizenship workshop in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The workshop was specifically designed to assist local immigrants as they prepare to become permanent United States citizens. With the assistance of dozens of volunteers from various locations throughout the State, we were able to aid many individuals throughout the day.

BREAKING: TN Legislature Commends Arizona Racial Profiling Bill As Companies Take Business Elsewhere

2010-05-24T23:11:59Z

Economic Boycott Grows, Harming Reputation and Costing AZ Millions

Nashville, TN – Late Monday afternoon, Tennessee legislators approved a resolution (HJR 1253) commending Arizona for SB 1070, a state bill that mandates racial profiling by requiring police officers to interrogate anyone who appears foreign-born. The impact of this otherwise meaningless resolution is to send a message about TN's position in an increasingly volatile national debate. Unfortunately, this message comes on the heels of a nationwide economic boycott of Arizona, which has cost the state significantly in terms of tourism, income, and reputation.

Since the passage of SB 1070, at least 23 tourist events have been cancelled in Arizona, costing the state between $6 and $10 million. 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)
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)

As more and more businesses decide that they are unwilling to support such a racially divisive piece of legislation, many are wondering why Tennessee wants to associate its name with a bill drawing such wide-spread criticism. For critics, mandating racial profiling is a step backwards for the United States, a country that prides itself on our shared values of equality and fairness.

Although study after study demonstrates that a majority of Americans want Congress to reform our broken immigration system, when states like Arizona attempt to do the job of the federal government, we are left with racial profiling and failed enforcement strategies. The hope is that Congress and the White House find the courage to pass comprehensive immigration reform, so states will no longer devise their own "solutions," regardless of the cost.

TN House Considers Resolution Praising Arizona for Racial Profiling

2010-05-24T15:23:20Z

Unfortunately, on Monday afternoon, TN Legislators passed resolution HJR 1253 commending Arizona for mandating racial profiling into law. For more information, click here.