TIRRC is a statewide, immigrant and refugee-led collaboration whose mission is to empower immigrants and refugees throughout Tennessee to develop a unified voice, defend their rights, and create an atmosphere in which they are recognized as positive contributors to the state.
Sometimes, the most important policy decisions are made at the local level. Whether its English-Only proposals or 287(g) agreements, local legislation can have a significant impact on our community. Visit this page regularly to stay updated with local issues relevant to immigrants, refugees, and all residents of Tennessee. Click here to return to the TIRRC policy main page.
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on this campaign. TIRRC leaders spent months mobilizing the immigrant and refugee community, knocking on doors, making phone calls, presenting at community meetings, speaking at faith services. Over 15,000 New Americans were contacted during this public education and Get Out the Vote effort, and the immigrant vote made the difference.
A new poll conducted by Middle Tennessee State University indicates that attitudes towards immigrants in TN have softened dramatically over the last year. Fully 47% support starting a temporary worker program for undocumented immigrants (up from 40% in Spring 2007), and 63% would support a path to citizenship (up from 54% a year ago). The percentage of those supporting a path to citizenship climbs to 73% for those making $40,000 or less. 50% of those polled agree that immigrants take jobs that US-born workers do not want.
