State Legislation:

Limiting English-Only Policies in the Workplace (HB 2685 by Hill)

This bill passed the House Employee Affairs subcommittee last week. After passage, TIRRC received many messages from members wanting to better understand our position on the bill. TIRRC opposes English-only legislation, and would never support any bill that makes it easier to discriminate against limited English-proficient (LEP) or bilingual individuals. Unlike the English-only election we had in Nashville last year that dealt with government services, HB2685 addresses when private employers can and cannot require their employees to speak English on the job. Federal law already allows English-only policies in the workplace when they are justified by business necessity (e.g., when an employee is interacting with English-speaking customers). HB2685, as originally introduced, would have created competing guidelines for employers who wanted to establish English-only policies, potentially encouraging violations of federal civil rights law. As a result of the growing power and presence of Tennessee's immigrant and refugee community, TIRRC was asked by the bill's sponsor to help amend the bill and address our civil rights concerns. The amended bill goes a long way in addressing those concerns, and TIRRC is not currently opposing its passage. TIRRC will continue to monitor this and all bills to determine their potential impact on Tennessee's immigrant and refugee community.

English-Only Driver License Bill (HB 262 by Watson)

During Nashville's English-Only election in 2009, the national anti-immigrant group ProEnglish spent $100,000 to influence our local election process in a failed attempt to build momentum for a national English-Only movement. This group is back in town and testified in support of the English-Only Driver License bill (HB 262 by Watson), Tuesday in the House Public Safety subcommittee. Even with strong opposition from Volkswagen, Nissan, Department of Safety, Economic Development, TIRRC and Tennessee residents the subcommittee went ahead and passed the bill with 4 members voting for, one against and 1 not voting. Now more than ever we need you support in helping stop this piece of legislation. Please continue to take action by contacting the members who serve on the House Transportation committee. Let’s send a clear message to our state legislators that we can decide what is best for Tennessee without the influence of national anti-immigration groups. Tennessee is a welcoming state, and we oppose outside efforts to divide our community and further marginalize our immigrant neighbors.

National Update:

TN Immigration Reform Efforts:

TIRRC is looking for community leaders who will be able to help organize for the most important mobilization of 2010 to Washington DC on March 21^st.  To prepare for this mobilization and our immigration reform work TIRRC is hosting community campaign meetings every week. We hope to strategize about how we will move forward with this campaign and how we can ensure that the voice of Tennesseans are heard across the nation in support of immigration reform.

Don’t forget to text “justice” or “justicia” to 69866 if you are interested in receiving updates and actions about the national movement for immigration reform.

Number of pro-immigrant bills passed: 1 (of 1 proposed)

Number of anti-immigrant bills passed: 2 (of 35 proposed)

Number of anti-immigrant bills stopped or amended to remove dangerous provisions: 33 (of 35 proposed)

 
Thank you to everyone for your incredible support this year at the Tennessee legislature. With sustained, positive contact by immigrant leaders and their allies, there is a growing awareness among legislators that anti-immigrant bills are bad for our communities, our consciences, and our state's economic well-being. Business leaders have been effective in explaining the importance of immigrant workers to our continued economic growth. Faith leaders have been indispensable in responding to legislation that would further marginalize and exploit members of the immigrant community. Immigrant leaders and their allies have been more visible than ever this year, explaining to legislators the unintended consequences of these bills on our collective future. Thank you to everyone who responded to action alerts, contacted legislators, and participated in New American Day on the Hill, our most important state advocacy day.

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