Legislators Steer Tennessee Down a Dangerous Road
2/1/12
NASHVILLE – HB 2191, the controversial bill that would make driving a car with an undocumented immigrant passenger a felony, advanced to the full House Judiciary committee this afternoon despite growing public opposition. A violation of this law carries a penalty of up to 6 years in prison and a $3,000 fine. Any private property used in association with this new offense, such as a family car or church van, can then be confiscated by government officials. An "undocumented immigrant" is broadly defined to include anyone in violation of civil immigration law, including a college student with an expired study visa or an undocumented high school student brought to Tennessee years ago as a child. The bill that moved forward would effectively turn every person in Tennessee into a federal immigration agent.
]]>Visit our State Policy Page to learn more about the proposed state legislation that will impact immigrant communities in Tennessee.
Join TIRRC this legislative session in pushing back against these anti-immigrant bills and push our law makers to find real solutions for Tennessee—creating jobs, rebuilding our economy, and investing in communities.
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Show our elected officials how much you care with valentines and a teddy bear! This Valentine’s Day, send your legislators a special message from Tennessee's immigrant and refugee communities. Make a donation to TIRRC by Sunday, February 12th and we will hand-deliver a valentine with your name on it to the legislator of your choice on Tuesday, February 14.
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]]>I’m writing you because I want to thank all of you for your support over the past six months. As you may know, I've lived in Tennessee since I was 11 years old. But last May I was arrested while driving home from church and I've been fighting deportation ever since. I have some very exciting news to share today: because of our hard work together, my deportation has been officially cancelled! 
This Thanksgiving I am grateful for you all! Thanks so much to each one of you for saving my dreams: to graduate high school and stay with my family. Together with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, J.U.M.P., Justice for Our Neighbors of Tennessee and United We Dream we made this happen.
I will never have enough words to express my gratitude for everything that was done for me. My life has changed completely. I learned so many things during this rough time: I learned that there are good people like you who care about others and I learned that when you feel most alone there are people who will give you a hand, even when you least expect it.
Unfortunately, families are still being separated. I know that injustice like this continues. Please continue to support us as we make sure that other Tennessee students have the opportunity to stay with their families and as we demand that President Obama stop these deportations. Let’s keep fighting together!
God bless you,
Mercedes Gonzalez
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