Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition

The State of the City and the politics of interruption in Memphis • Tennessee Lookout On Tuesday, as Memphis Mayor Paul Young delivered his State of the City address,, a grassroots organization disrupted it by shouting. The setting was a church. Children were present. Reactions were…

Commentary: When protesters interrupted Memphis Mayor Paul Young's State of the City address on Tuesday, there was some dismay expressed because it occurred in a Black church, in opposition to a Black mayor. But Black leadership does not exempt anyone from accountability. From Rev. Earle Fisher.

The Trump administration is trying to end a 40-year precedent ensuring immigrant children are notified of their right to a hearing and access to a telephone. We’re headed to Court.

The Trump administration is once again attacking the rights of immigrant children.985: NILC and its partners won a significant court ruling in a lawsuit, Perez-Funez v. DHS, which protects all unaccompanied children from being unlawfully removed from the United States. The court ordered the federal government to give children notice of their right to a hearing in immigration court and access to a telephone to contact a responsible adult or lawyer.For 40 years under administrations of both political parties, unaccompanied children continue to receive these protections, thanks to this case. Dec. 2025: The Trump administration requests that a judge terminate the Perez-Funez injunction.Jan. 2026: NILC, Public Counsel, and partners file our opposition to the administration’s termination request.

DHS has started using a new written notice that threatens children for exercising their rights.

We can’t allow the Trump administration to coerce vulnerable children. Young children, navigating something as complex as the U.S. immigration system, are uniquely vulnerable to coercion. Steps like informing children that they have a right to a hearing and providing an opportunity to call an adult are not just foundational to ensuring due process — they are moral matters of human decency.

Today we're in court with Public Counsel, fighting back against yet another attack from the Trump administration on vulnerable immigrant children.

Learn about our case ➡️

In a normal government, this results in the resignation of multiple cabinet officials (Transportation, Defense, and Homeland Security), and the closure or (at least!) radical reorg of the cartoonishly incompetent agency at the center of it: CBP.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...

This!! Join us Feb 25 to support and learn about organizations in TN ( @tnimmigrant.bsky.social , The Equity Alliance) and NC (Carolina Federation Fund, We Are Down Home) engaged in nonpartisan year-round education and community-based organizing.
www.mobilize.us/stateswinmar...

Memphis educators, join us on Thursday, Feb 5 for an interactive virtual session focused on educator and student rights. We’ll build the tools and knowledge to make sure immigrant students feel safe, supported, and valued in our schools.
TinyUrl.com/VirtualEdTraining

Calling all Chattanooga educators!
Join us for a Chattanooga-based training on February 4th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM focused on building community, understanding educator and student rights, and creating safety plans that support immigrant students. TinyUrl.com/ChattEdTraining

Support for Abolishing ICE at All Time High: Poll Abolition of the out-of-control federal agency now has mainstream support

A Civiqs Poll this week revealed that support for abolishing ICE is at an all time high among Americans.

NEW: 400+ civil rights groups and unions just joined our demand that Congress refuse funds for ICE and rein in their behavior.

Masked federal agents are endangering our communities and putting lives at risk. Our leaders must act now and defend us from this lawless violence.

Thanks to our partners, everyone who showed up to vigils or signed our petition, and all those who commie to courageous action in our communities. We find hope in one another.

Did you know that in 2025 over 1.5 million immigrants lost their legal status?
“We’ve never seen this many people lose their legal status in the history of the US,” said David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, “This is totally unprecedented.”

stateline.org/2025/12/30/r...

In 2025 we stood by our communities amid the indiscriminate, escalated, and relentless anti-immigrant narratives and policies.

We’ll continue to defend the ground we’ve won and challenge the ground we’ve lost for a welcoming Tennessee. Today is the last day to give in 2025: tnimmigrant.org/donate.

Take Action!

The Trump administration is sending masked federal agents to round up our immigrant neighbors—even people with #DACA, who should be protected, are being detained.

Lawmakers must provide permanent protections. Tell your Senators to pass the DREAM Act:
https://bit.ly/48W2rxv

Thanks to everyone who was a part of donating, wrapping, and delivering gifts to children in Memphis affected my the mass deportation operation by the task force. When times are dark may we never miss opportunities to be light to each other. 🎄💔🎁💝

From defending our right to an education, representing people racially targeted in coordinated dragnet operations, to organizing and training people about their rights, we’ve been at the forefront of pushing back against this administration’s cruel tactics, and won’t be stopping!

Looking back over 2025, one thing is clear. The fight for justice and equity for our immigrant communities will need to continue in 2026 stronger than ever.
We know that TIRRC, our members, and you won’t stop either. Will you add fuel to the movement by giving?(1/2)

Visit: tnimmigrant.org/donate.

Community Alert: Immigration Arrests at Airports This resource provides travel safety tips and other resources for immigrants traveling through U.S. airports.

Preparing for holiday travel? For immigrants, it's critical that you understand your rights and how to prepare for risks at the airport.

Our new resource has important safety tips and resources to protect yourself and loved ones. Please read and share widely ➡️ www.nilc.org/resources/co...

Thank you Melissa for continuing to witness and share the harm you are seeing. Please share her message so more people know what is REALLY happening in Memphis. #taskforce #immigrantsmakeamericagreat #memphistiktok

Gracias Ángeles for sharing what you’re seeing and hearing in Memphis. We have to keep speaking out against the task force that is harming our neighbors! #memphis #taskforce #tennessee @thetnholler.bsky.social

Join TIRRC and LiUNA in supporting families and children in Memphis who have experienced family separation since the increased ICE activity in their community. You can give Christmas gifts to children in need by donating an unwrapped toy by December 9th! #memphis #christmas #supportkids

Over the last few weeks, the Knox County Board of Education has seen:
• Overflow rooms filled.
• Dozens of public forum speakers.
• Hundreds of emails and phone calls centered on this priority.

This is a victory our community built together and a reminder that when we show up, we win! (2/2)

Last night, the Knoxville School Board voted 6–3 affirming a free public education for all children. We are grateful to board members who took an important step toward protecting every child’s right to learn, grow, and feel safe in our schools.

This is a victory our community built together! (1/2)

Join our virtual training in English/ Spanish for business owners!
-How to know your rights and responsibilities during federal agent visits
-How to manage I-9 audits
-How to handle unexpected inspections
-How to protect your business &the rights of employees
🗓️:Dec 9 @4
✍️: tinyurl.com/KYRnegocios

Thank you to all those in Memphis defending the rights of our neighbors and for sharing the stories of the harm being done to our friends and community members by those in power.

#memphistiktok #immigrantsmakeamericagreat #tennessee #taskforce

We will continue to share the stories of harm happening in Memphis. Thank you to those who came out to last week’s vigil to honor those who have been disappeared. #memphis #vigil #tennessee #taskforce #immigrantsmakeamericagreat

Have you made your plan to vote by Nov 26 in the special election in District 7?? Check proudvoter.org or the election links in our bio to see if you’re in District 7 and polling locations and times! #district7 #makeaplan #nashville #clarksville #CD7

Make a plan to vote in the District 7 Congressional special election! Early voting ends Nov 26th! We are ALL IN for CD7! #tennessee #vote #CD7 #district7 #middletennessee #clarksville #nashville @civictn.bsky.social

Thank you to all the community members in Knox County who called for the school board to support education for ALL! Sign the petition in our bio!#EducationForAll #Tennessee #publiceducation #children

What’s actually happening in Memphis? Families are being targeted and terrorized by federal agents. We have to come together to protect our neighbors. #mempis #freethe901 #children #TASKFORCE #govlee #trump #escalation

(Video is too long see full here: www.instagram.com/p/DQ97WBJgfo...

Full video is too long to post here but you can watch here!

www.instagram.com/p/DRASIe-gLa...