FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2021
Contact: Hamp Price | hamp@tnimmigrant.org
Immigrant rights group calls for policies to strengthen protections for immigrant families, increase access to inclusive COVID-19 relief, and provide opportunities for all
CHATTANOOGA - Today, the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) released a policy platform for the next government of Chattanooga to demonstrate how elected officials can protect and invest in the city’s quickly growing immigrant population while providing inclusive COVID-19 relief for all families.
The platform was developed based on numerous discussions and surveys with immigrant and refugee community members and partner organizations. These conversations centered on understanding issues affecting their communities and priorities for elected leaders.
“No matter where we come from, the color of our skin, or how we worship, most of us want the same things—to live and work safely in our communities and have access to opportunities to help our families thrive. This platform lays out a roadmap to make sure Chattanooga remains a safe, thriving, and welcoming place that protects all of us, native or newcomer,” said Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus, Executive Director of TIRRC. “Too often, certain politicians blame new immigrants to cover up their failures to deliver the healthcare, schools, and jobs families need, but we know that immigrants have always been essential to our communities. It's time to join together to demand policies that protect all Chattanooga families, including immigrants and refugees.”
The platform outlines how the mayor and city council can ensure inclusive COVID-19 relief, bolster economic opportunities for immigrant, refugee, and minority families, and expand access to critical city resources and services. TIRRC also calls for the creation of a legal defense fund to provide representation for immigrants in deportation proceedings as well the development of municipal IDs to increase access to opportunity for immigrants and other vulnerable populations. Click here to read the full policy platform.
“It's time for bold policy solutions to protect immigrant families and ensure all Chattanoogans have the opportunities they deserve to pull through the ongoing pandemic,” said Judith Clerjeune, Campaigns and Advocacy Director at TIRRC. “By implementing policies that provide inclusive and equitable COVID-19 relief, increase economic opportunity and access to resources for all, and defend the rights of immigrants and refugees, the next mayor and city council can ensure Chattanooga is a place that honors the dignity and humanity of all.”
TIRRC will continue to work with local partners and community members to uplift the concerns of immigrant and refugee families in Chattanooga and to garner support for inclusive, pro-immigrant policy solutions. The organization looks forward to working with the next municipal government of Chattanooga to implement these policies and ensure the city is one where all families, regardless of immigration status, are protected and have opportunities to thrive.
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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. Since its founding in 2001, TIRRC has worked to develop immigrant leadership, build the capacity of its immigrant-led member organizations, help immigrant community members understand and engage in the civic process, and educate the public about policies that would better promote integration of new immigrants and facilitate their full participation in US society. In just a few years TIRRC has grown from a grassroots network of community leaders into one of the most diverse and effective coalitions of its kind, a model for emerging immigrant rights organizations in the Southeast and throughout the United States.