Newsletter August 2009

Volume 1, Issue 1

TIRRC/ 615.833.0384

Creating a 2009 Tennessee

statewide
voice for Legislative Wrap-Up
QuickTime™ and a
immigrants TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Number of pro-immigrant bills
and refugees 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: Each year the legislative
legislative session visit TIRRC’s website at
To read about the specific bills in the 2009

33 (of 35 proposed) session is a struggle when

Thank you to everyone for
your incredible support this year at
the Tennessee legislature. With
sustained, positive contact by
immigrant leaders and their allies,
www.tnimmigrant.org
advocating on behalf of the
immigrant community. However, as
immigrants make their presence
known in their community and at the
state legislature, we begin to see a

there is a growing awareness among decrease in anti-immigrant

legislators that anti-immigrant bills legislation and rhetoric. For a
are bad for our communities, our comprehensive list of this year’s anti-
consciences, and our state's immigrant legislation, please visit
economic well-being. Business TIRRC’s website. Our work
leaders have been effective in continues as we promote immigrant
explaining the importance of integration throughout the state by
immigrant workers to our continued pushing for proactive legislation that
economic growth. Faith leaders have will no longer marginalize the
been indispensable in responding to immigrant community. In the next few
legislation that would further weeks TIRRC will be hosting a
marginalize and exploit members of legislative strategy session to review
the immigrant community. Immigrant this year’s legislation and prepare for
leaders and their allies have been the upcoming session.
more visible than ever this year,
explaining to legislators the If you are interested in
The purpose of a
unintended consequences of these attending the legislative strategy
newsletter is to provide
bills on our collective
specialized informationfuture.
to Thank session or would like to know more
you to everyone who responded to
a targeted audience. about this year’s legislative session
Newsletters
action alerts, can be a
contacted legislators, please contact Remziya Suleyman at
great way to market your
and participated in New American remziya@tnimmigrant.org or call
product or service, and 615.833.0384
Day on the Hill, our most important
also create credibility and
state advocacy
build day.
your organization’s
identity among peers,
members, employees, or
vendors.

Second Story Headline

First, determine the
audience of the
TIRRC Newsletter Page 2 of 4
TIRRC August Newsletter 2009 Page 2 of 3

TIRRC Launches New Website!

The TIRRC staff has been
keeping a secret. For months
they’ve been working on a top
secret project – a new website!
It’s finally time for the unveiling
of the new….
www.tnimmigrant.org
Communications Coordinator,
Elias Feghali has incorporated
the latest technology; so stop by
the website today to become a
fan of TIRRC on Facebook,
follow us on Twitter, or watch
our YouTube videos.

The address stays the same, but
inside you will find all new
information! The website will be
your online hub for all the latest
news, pictures, action alerts, and
videos about immigrant and
refugee issues in Tennessee.
The new website is not just a
one-way flow of information, but
also a great way for you to tell
us what is going on! Share your
thoughts in the community blog,
share your events in the
community calendar, and share
your story in our newsletter.

Online Rapid Response Team

We're trying to build a team of 10-20 people who are capable of
monitoring local media in TN and responding appropriately to positive
and negative articles that have something to do with immigration

www.tnimmigrant.org
and/or refugee issues. If this sounds interesting and you'd like to get
involved or just find out more, contact: today for the latest
Elias Feghali
elias@tnimmigrant.org
information!

o: 615-833-0364 [ext. 104]

Visit

August Calendar of Events

3rd l 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm TIRRC Campaigns meeting at TIRRC office
5th l 6:00pm – 7:00 pm TIRRC Volunteer Training at TIRRC office
13th l 5:30 pm Welcoming Tennessee strategy meeting in East TN
- Contact Elias@tnimmigrant.org or 615-833-0384 ext. 104
 TIRRC August Newsletter 2009 Page 3 of 3

Tennessee About Our Organization…

Immigrant and
Refugee Rights TIRRC is a statewide, immigrant and refugee-led collaboration whose
Coalition 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.
446 Metroplex Dr. Staff
Building A, Suite 224 Stephen Fotopulos - Executive Director
Nashville, TN 37211
Kasar Abdulla - Director of Advocacy and Education
Phone:
Leticia Alvarez - Organizing Director
615.833.0384 Marie Alvarez - Office Manager
Lisa Barba - East Tennessee Regional Organizer
Fax: Elias Feghali - Communications Coordinator
615.833.0387 Lindsey Harris - Project Manager
Amelia Post - Middle Tennessee Organizer
Sara Jane Saliba - Director of Finance and Administration
Remziya Suleyman- Policy Coordinator
Katie Vasquez - Administrative Assistant
Creating a statewide
voice for immigrants
and refugees Interns
Karen Usselman Omar Chapa Ryan Ellis

Greg Mecomber
We’re on the Web!
See us at: Volunteers
Peter Dawson Elisabeth Dawson Sandra Sanchez
www.tnimmigrant.org
Molly Sehring Sarah Smith Julio Lopez

Maria Fernanda Lopez Julio Fernandez

Membership
TIRRC is a membership organization. Members are what drives
TIRRC forward and are involved in all areas of our work. Our
members are responsible for electing the Board of Directors and
deciding what the key issues and priority campaigns are that TIRRC
will work on each year. Members also receive free entrance into our
annual Membership Convention, where we strategize for the coming
year and celebrate the accomplishments of the past year.

Becoming a member is an important step in getting involved! Join

today!
Call 615-833-0384 or visit www.tnimmigrant.org