2023 Annual Report

2023 AnnualReport

Amessagefrom ourExecutive Director

ByTessaLemosDelPino

DearAdvocates,

Manyofushaveseentheheart-breakingimagesofchildrenrepresenting themselvesbeforetheimmigrationcourt. Itisunfairandcrueltoforceachildto defendtheircasebeforeandagainstthegovernment. Thestakesarehighanditis unimaginableforachildtofacethisalone,yetitstillhappensalltoooften. In2023 becauseofourexpandedservices,9montholdJessicawasluckyenoughtohave anexperiencedattorneyfromTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighborsrepresentingher atthisjunctureinherimmigrationjourney.

Likethewheelsofjustice,theimmigrationsystemisslowandrarelymovesina straightpath. Inthisannualreport,ourteammembersshareexamplesofboth forwardmovementandtimeswherethesystemmovedsoslowlyitfeltlikethings werestandingstill. Yet,weremainsteadfastonourjourney,providingthefull spectrumofadvocacyforimmigrantswhetherthatisthrougheducatingthe communityorthroughdirectrepresentation.Wehopethatinreadingthe2023 annualreport,youareabletoseehowthatvisionguidesourworktoprovidefreeor low-cost,high-qualityrepresentationtoindividualsseekinghumanitarianrelief, educatethecommunityaboutimmigrationmattersandtoadvocateforimmigrant rights.

LegalDirectorBethanyJacksonwillsharedataontheclientsweservedin2023,who camefrom29countriesaroundtheworld. Forthefirsttime,wehavemorethan 1300activecases,reflectingtheincreasedfundingandorganizationalgrowthwe experiencedin2022. Wearehonoredtowalkalongsideourclientsontheir immigrationjourneyandgratefultooursupportersthatallowustodothiswork.

Priorto2023,ourworkwaspreviouslylimitedtoinitialhearingsandamotions practiceseekingterminationofremovalproceedingsforclientseligiblefor affirmativereliefsuchasUvisas,Tvisas,andSpecialImmigrantJuvenilestatus.Our legalservicestookahugestepforwardwhenwehiredSeniorStaffAttorneyEmily StottstorepresentclientsinImmigrationCourt,realizingalong-timegoalto providemuch-neededfullrepresentation.Readmoreaboutourexpandedservices inEmily’sarticle.

StaffAttorneyAllenKingandLegalClerkHashmatullahAzizishareanupdateonour workwithAfghanasylumseekers,manyofwhomarestillwaitingfordecisionson theircases.Youwillalsolearnhowwehaveroundedoutourdirectlegal representationwithadvocacyeffortsseekingtoexpandaccesstojusticeforthis community.

Onebrightspotisthemomentumourofficehasbuiltinouradvocacyand educationefforts. AdvocacyandEducationCoordinatorHannahSmalleyhas measuredthisworkalongthewayandyouwillseehowwehavetakenmoreaction atthelocal,stateandnationallevel.

WhileourfundingforFamiliesTogetherhasdrawntoaclose,Hannahcontinuesto carryoutthiswork. Youcanreadmoreaboutoureducationeffortsinherwriteup inthisreporthighlightingincreasesinouraudience,languageofferings,and communityengagement.

WiththeendingofthefundingforFamiliesTogether,ourOyeVecinopodcast pausedinthefallbutnotbeforeweheldour2023OyeVecinoLIVEfundraiser.Aineth Murguia,whowaspromotedtoAssistantLegalDirectorin2023,shareshertakeon interviewingcivilrightsattorneyIrmaHerrera.

WhileNashvillefacedthedevastatingpainofamassschoolshooting,the undemocraticexpulsionofourtwoyoungestBlackRepresentativesfromour Legislature,andbillstargetingpublicschoolstudents,women’sreproductiverights, andtheLGBTQcommunity,wefeltthesolidarityoftheImmigrationLawandJustice Networkwhen18affiliatesitesfromaroundthecountrydescendeduponNashville. WewereremindedhowNashvilleisthecradleforthenonviolentstudentmovement ofthecivilrightseraandthatitwasTennesseethatformedthePerfect36which ensuredthattherighttovotecouldnotbedeniedonthebasisofsex. Thesocial changethatoccurredherechangedourcityandultimatelythecountry. Itisthat historythatgivesushopeforthefuture.

Theworkofjusticeisslow,butweareinitforthelong-haul.Wearerepresenting moreclientsandcollaboratingmorethaneverwithpartnerorganizationsbecause werecognizetheintersectionalityofourwork.Regardlessofourgender,race, religion,orimmigrationstatus,weareallhumansdeservingjustice Weas Tennesseanswillonlymoveforwardifwemovetogether

Sincerely,

TessaLemosDelPino ExecutiveDirector

“Injusticeanywhereisathreattojusticeeverywhere. Wearecaughtinaninescapablenetworkof mutuality,tiedinasinglegarmentofdestiny. Whateveraffectsonedirectly,affectsallindirectly.”

―MartinLutherKingJr.,Letterfrom BirminghamJail

Chair

OurBoard

Vice Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Lefttoright,toptobottom:NicholeEvelynAlsina-Davari,EmilyKonouchi,GabeMarrero, NedGibson,MaureenAguilar,MelanieArnold,T.HopeCollins,AbenaEchternach,Maria Escamilla,JesseHarbison,WilliamJ."Paz"Haynes,III; LizHernandez,RachelInezMarshall, JeremyQuiñonez,JeffSheehan,HannahWebber

Amessagefrom ourBoardChair

ByNicholeEvelyn Alsina-Davari

DearSupportersandFriendsofTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighbors,

Asthesunsetsonanothertransformativeyearforourorganization,Iamproudto sharethejourneyofTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighbors,atalewovenwiththreads ofresilience,compassion,andacommitmenttojusticeinourVolunteerState. Throughouttheyear,wecontinuedourmissiontoprovidevitallegalrepresentation, ensuringjusticeforeveryindividualregardlessoftheirbackgroundor circumstance

TheTapestryofAchievements:

ExpandingReach:Thisyearwasmarkedbytheexpansionofourcommunity outreachinitiativestoengagemorecommunitymembersandprovideessential legalsupportwhereitisneededthemost.

LegalClinics:Thebeatingheartofourefforts,ourlegalclinicsremainedasanctuary forthosenavigatingthelabyrinthofcomplexlegalbattles.Throughtheseclinics,we notonlyofferedlegaladvising,butempoweredcountlessindividualswith knowledgeandthemeanstoamplifytheirvoicesandlivedexperiences.

AdvocacyInitiatives:Weraisedourvoicesforourneighborswithafocused commitmenttointersectionality.Ouradvocacyinitiativesaddressedsystemic issueswithalensthatrecognizestheuniquestrugglesfacedbyeachindividual

CommunityPartnerships:Thetapestryofourimpactwasstrengthenedbyan intricatewebofcollaborations.Ourpartnershipswithlocalorganizations, government,andcommunityleadersbecamethevibrantthreadsofa comprehensiveapproachtoaddressingtheneedsofourneighbors

Gratitude,theThreadthatBinds:

Noneoftheseaccomplishmentswouldbepossiblewithoutthesymphonyof supportfromourdonors,volunteers,communitypartnersandBoardofDirectors. Yourgenerosityfuelsourmission,allowingustocreatemeaningfuldifferencesin thelivesofthoseweserve.Weextendourdeepestgratitudeforyourcontinued commitmenttoTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighbors.

LookingAhead,AChapterUnwritten:

Aswestandatthebeginningofanewchapter,weacknowledgetheworkthatlies ahead.Thefightforjusticepersists,andourcommitmentremainsunwavering.We embarkonanotheryearofservice,invitingyoutojoinusonourmission.Your support,whetherthroughdonations,volunteering,oradvocacy,playsapivotalrole inshapingamorejustandequitableTennesseeforall.

Thankyouforbeinganintegralpartofourstory.Together,wecontinuetoweavea communitywherejusticeknowsnobounds

Poryparalacomunidad, NicholeEvelynAlsina-Davari

2023TNJFONBoardChair

Amessagefrom ourLegalDirector ByBethanyJackson

DearFriendsandAllies,

2023broughtasignificantexpansionofourlegalworkatTNJFON.Whilewecontinue tofocusonrepresentingimmigrantseligibleforhumanitarianrelief,weareno longerlimitedtorepresentingthoseclientswhocanpursuetheirclaimsbeforeUS CitizenshipandImmigrationServices(USCIS).

InSeptember2023,Memphis-basedattorneyEmilyStottsjoinedTNJFON,bringinga wealthofwisdomandexperiencetoourwork.EmilyrepresentsTNJFONclientsin removal(deportation)proceedingsbeforetheMemphisImmigrationCourt.Likeour otherclients,theseimmigrantsareeligibleforhumanitarianrelief,buttheymust presenttheirclaimstoanImmigrationJudgeduetofactorssuchashowthey cametotheUnitedStates,immigrationhistory,andage.

TNJFONisthefirstNashville-basednon-profittoprovidefullrepresentationin removalproceedings.FullrepresentationensuresthatTNJFON’sDavidsonCounty clientshavethebestpossiblechanceofobtainingrelief.Wearedelightedtotake thissteptowardsensuringthatvulnerableindividualsfacingremovalproceedings haveaccesstofree,high-qualitylegalrepresentation.

In2023,TNJFONlegalstaffrepresentedhundredsofimmigrantsfacingdifficult situations.EachnewclientmeetswithaTNJFONattorneyorDepartmentofJustice (DOJ)-accreditedrepresentativewhogathersinformationandassesseseligibility forimmigrationstatusunderUSimmigrationlaw.Iftheclientiseligiblefora humanitarianformofrelief,TNJFONrepresentstheclientbeforeUSCISorthe ImmigrationCourt,oftenacommitmentoftensofhoursovermanyyears.

Webegan2023with398activecasesand,overtheyearopenedanadditional951 cases,representingchildren,women,andmenfromAfghanistan,Bahamas, Canada,Chile,China,Colombia,CostaRica,Cuba,DemocraticRepublicofthe Congo,DominicanRepublic,Ecuador,ElSalvador,Ghana,Guatemala,Honduras,

ANNUALREPORT

Iraq,Japan,Kenya,Mexico,Nicaragua,Nigeria,SouthAfrica,Trinidadand Tobago,Turkey,Ukraine,UnitedStates,Venezuela-allseekingasecure,stablelife intheUnitedStates.

In2023,TNJFONclientsreceivedasylum(protectionagainstpersecution),Uvisas (forvictimsofseriouscrimeswhocooperatewithlawenforcement),Special ImmigrantJuvenilestatus(forchildrenwhohavebeenabused,abandoned,or neglectedbytheirparents),reliefundertheViolenceAgainstWomenAct(for victimsofabusebyUScitizenorpermanentresidentorcertainotherrelatives), DACAgrants(foryoungpeoplebroughttotheUnitedStatesaschildrenbefore2007 whomeetcertaineducationalrequirementsandpassabackgroundscreening), workpermits,lawfulpermanentresidence(a/ka/“greencard”),andhadtheir removal(deportationproceedings)dismissed.Forourclients,thesedecisions meanopportunity,stability,and,mostimportantly,peaceofmind.

WhileIamproudofourlegalstaff’sworktoimprovethelivesofourindividual clients,IremaindeeplydisappointedbyCongress’sfailuretoaddresslongstanding,systemicissues.Thenarrativethatimmigrationisanintractableproblem continuestodominatetheconversationateverylevel.Immigrationisindeeda complexissue.But,wecannotlosesightofthefactthatthepeopleseekingtocome totheUnitedStatesarerealpeoplewithreallives.Wecannotignoretheirhumanity. ImmigrantscometotheUnitedStatesformanyreasonsincludingwar,corruption, climatechange,andpoverty.Thefirststeptowardcreatingafairandjust immigrationsystemistoacknowledgethisreality.WeneedaCongressthatis willingtoactwithcourageandurgencyinaddressingournation’simmigration crisis.

AtTNJFON,webelieveeverypersondeservesachancetolivealifefreefromfear, poverty,andpersecution.Wewillcontinuetozealouslyrepresentourclientsasthey seektheimmigrationrelieftheyqualifyforunderourexistingimmigrationlaws.

Finally,onapersonalnote,thisismylastcontributiontoTNJFON’sAnnualReportas LegalDirector.IjoinedTNJFONasastaffattorneyin2014andbecameLegalDirector in2019.Iamimmenselyproudofwhatwehavebuiltfromthetimeofourfounding LegalDirector,AdrienneKittos,totoday.Iamgratefulfortheopportunitytolead TNJFON’samazinglegalstaff,butthetimehascometopasstheprivilege.Iam confidentthatwewillfindanexceptional,passionateleadertoserveasthenext LegalDirector.IthankyouforyourunwaveringsupportforTNJFONandmeoverthe pastdecade.

Sincerely,

BethanyJackson LegalDirector

Theimpactof Immigration Court representation

ByEmilyStotts,Senior StaffAttorney

Iwalkedintothecourtroomholdingnine-month-oldJessicainmyarms,her motherstandingnexttome.Theroomwaspackedwithstandingroomonlyas anxiousindividualswaitedtobecalledinfrontofthejudge.Jessicabegantocry.A securityguardaskedmetotakeJessicaoutside;itwashardforthejudgetohear overhercries AsIexplainedtothesecurityguard,Icouldn’ttakeheroutside becauseshewastheonetheCourthadsummoned.Nine-month-oldJessicawas thedefendantandwasexpectedtodefendherselffromdeportationinImmigration Court.

JessicaisjustoneofthehundredsofindividualsI’verepresentedovermy10-year careerdefendingpeoplefromdeportation InSeptember2023,IjoinedTennessee JusticeforOurNeighborstoprovidedeportationdefensetoTNJFONclients,anew endeavorforthiswonderfulorganizationandonethatiscriticallyneededfor middleTennesseans.

Immigrationlawisbrokenintotwoseparatecamps:affirmativeanddefensive AffirmativecasesencompassbenefitsindividualsrequestfromUS Citizenshipand ImmigrationServices(USCIS),suchasworkauthorization,lawfulpermanent residency,andcitizenship.It’sconsideredanon-adversarialproceedingsincethere isnoopposingparty–justtheapplicantandtheadjudicator.Defensive proceedings,ontheotherhand,arehighlyadversarial.Defensiveproceedingsare controlledbytheUS DepartmentofJustice’sExecutiveOfficeforImmigration Review(EOIR,or“ImmigrationCourt”)andinsuchproceedings,individualsdefend themselvesfrombeingsentbacktotheirhomecountries,oftencalledbeing removedordeported.Theprocesstakesonthefeelofacriminaltrialwherethe

accusedappearsbeforeajudgetorespondtoallegationsbroughtbythe DepartmentofHomelandSecurity’sprosecutorthattheyhaveviolated immigrationlawsrenderingthemremovablefromtheUnitedStates.The respondent,astheaccusediscalled,isthenaffordedanopportunitytopleadtheir casetoremainintheUnitedStatesandmayenlisttheservicesoflegalcounselif desiredand,critically,able.

Unlikeacriminalproceeding,noattorneywillbeprovidedtotheaccused, regardlessofage,mentalcapacity,orabilitytopay.Itisentirelyuptotheindividual tosecuretheirownlegaldefense.Themyriadofcompleximmigrationlaws, regulations,procedures,andpoliciesmakeitdifficulttosucceedforeventhemost skilledlegalrepresentatives.Itisnowonder,then,thatrespondentsunableto securelegalcounselarenearlyfivetimesaslikelytolosetheircase.Deportation canresultindevastatingconsequencesforindividualsandtheirfamilies,including familyseparation,removalfromtheirhome,lossofincome,andforcedreturnto life-threateningconditionsintheirhomecountry.However,representation, especiallyfreeandaffordablerepresentationisbecomingincreasinglydifficultto secure.ArecentreportfromSyracuseUniversity’sTransactionalRecordsAccess Clearinghouse(TRAC)foundthatsince2019,therepresentationrateofindividuals beforetheImmigrationCourthasfallenfrom65%tojust30%.FortheTennessee ImmigrationCourt,thatnumberisevenworsewithjust20%ofindividuals havingsecuredrepresentation.

Legalrepresentationcanmakeallthedifferenceforfamilies.InDecember,TNJFON wascontactedbyalocalschoolcounselorwithalongshotrequest.Oneofher studentsandthestudent’syoungsiblingswereallscheduledtoappearinMemphis, afour-hourdriveaway,justaftertheNewYearfortheirsecondImmigrationCourt appearance.Thefamilywasstrugglingfinanciallyandoneofthechildrenwas beingtreatedatVanderbiltforabraintumor.Thefamilyhadnotbeenabletofind anattorneybecausetheycouldnotaffordtopayforone.ThedrivetoMemphis wasgoingtobeburdensomeonthefamilyandtheywereafraidtogowithout representation.JustbeforeChristmas,Imetwiththefamilyandfiledthepaperwork necessarytoavoidthetriptoMemphisandgetsomeofthecasesdismissed, somethingthefamilynevercouldhavedoneontheirown.Ialsodiscoveredthatall thechildrenqualifiedforanaffirmativebenefit,whichwillallowthemalltostayin theU.S.indefinitelyandgetonapathwaytowardsU.S.citizenship.Hadtheschool counselornotreachedout,orhadTNJFONnotbeenabletotakethecase,the youngsiblingslikelywouldhavebeenorderedremovedbacktotheirhomecountry duringthatJanuarycourtdatewithouteverrealizingtheyqualifiedforrelief.

IlookforwardtothisbeingjustoneofthefirstvictoriesinImmigrationCourtfor TNJFONclients.

AlongjourneyforAfghan asylumseekers

ByAllenKing, StaffAttorney and Hashmatullah Azizi,LegalClerk

whoresettledtoNashville,2023 EventhroughthebriefinteractionsweatTennesseeJustic withourclientswhileworkingontheircases,wecouldseethatfamiliesweregetting moresettledandcomfortableintheUnitedStates.Manypeople,especially children,werequicklybecomingfluentinEnglish,andfamilieswereachievingmajor lifemilestonessuchasbuyingtheirfirstcarsorlookingintohomeownership.Onthe legalsideofthings,wesawatremendousamountofsuccessasfamilies’asylum applicationswerebeginningtobeapproved.Injustoneyear,TNJFONsaw26 asylumapprovals,constituting46individuals.Wesubsequentlysubmittedgreen cardapplicationsforthemajorityofthesefamilies.Wealsofiled20newasylum applicationsthisyear,constituting27individuals.

27newasylumseekers

46peoplereceivedasylum

TNJFON2023 ANNUALREPORT

Althoughasylumapprovalsassuagedthefearsthatfamilieshadoverwhetherthey themselveswouldbeabletostayintheUnitedStates,itdidn’tdomuchfortheir familymemberswhoarestillinAfghanistan.Beingapprovedforasylummeantthat individualscouldfile“follow-to-join”applicationstobringrelativesover,butthelist ofqualifyingrelativesforthatprocessissmall–onlyspousesandunmarried childrenundertheageof21areeligible.TNJFONhelpedahandfulofclientssubmit follow-to-joinapplications,butthatnumberisasmallfractionofallofthefamily thatourclientsareworriedabout.LegalClerkHashmatullahAzizireceivescallsona weeklybasisfrommembersoftheAfghancommunitydesperateforoptions,but forthevastmajorityofthosewhoarestillstuckinAfghanistan,eventheirrelative’s asylumapprovalofferslittlehope.

Theseongoingchallengesunderscoretheneedforpolicychange.TheAfghan AdjustmentAct,whichhasbeenintroducedseveraltimesinvariousformsinboth chambersofCongress,wouldallowAfghanparoleestoapplydirectlyforgreen cardsratherthangoingthroughthecomplex,oftentraumatizingasylumprocess.A relatedpolicy,theAfghanAlliesProtectionAct,expandsSIVeligibilityandincreases thevisacap.Overthecourseoftheyear,fiveTNJFONstaffjoinedotherTennessee constituentsinmeetingswithstaffersforSenatorsMarshaBlackburnandBill HagertytoadvocatefortheAAAandAAPA.Manyofthesameconstituentsjoinedus inmeetingaftermeeting,allowingustoconnectwithalliesfromacrossthestate whocareaboutasylum.Asofnow,morethan2yearsafterthecollapseofthe Afghangovernment,thelegislationhasnevermadeittoafloorvote.WeatTNJFON areexhaustingeverypossibleavenueforreunitingfamilies,butwithoutmeaningful policychangeitwillremainanuphillbattle.

Photo:TNJFONstaffjoinotherconstituentsinameetingwithSenatorMarsha BlackburntoadvocatefortheAfghanAdjustmentAct.

Building advocacy momentum

ByHannahSmalley, Advocacyand EducationCoordinator

Ouradvocacyworkgrewinleapsandboundsin2023aswebuiltonrelationships formedin2022toengageinpolicyconversationsateverylevelofgovernment.

ExecutiveDirectorTessaLemosDelPinoandAdvocacyandEducationCoordinator HannahSmalleywereselectedbytheImmigrationLaw&JusticeNetworktoserve asadvocacyco-consultantsin2023and2024.Inthisrole,wewereabletobuild relationshipswithadvocatesfromotherILJsitesandparticipatemoreactivelyin nationalcoalitions

In2023wetook57advocacyactionsat thelocal,state,andnationallevels addressing9differentpolicycategories using9differenttactics Comparedto 2022,wetook6.3xasmanyactionsand grewourstate-andlocal-leveladvocacy from11%and0%ofouradvocacyefforts to31.6%and7%,respectively.Wealso engaged9staffmembers,4board members,and3volunteersinour advocacyworkcomparedto3staff membersandoneinternin2022.

Photo: NicholeEvelynAlsina-Davari, AlvaroManriqueBarrenechea,Aineth Murguia,andHannahSmalleygetting readytotalktostatelegislatorsatTIRRC's DayontheHill

Thisarticlespotlightsourworkonasylum,publicsafety,andpublicbenefitsaccess, thethreepolicyareasthattogethermadeupover70%ofouradvocacythisyear.

Asylum:

Withasylumaccessunderattackonmultiplefronts,wefocusedouradvocacy effortsonthenationallevelwhilebuildingrelationshipsatthelocallevel.InFebruary andMarch,weledaninterfaithcoalitionoflocalorganizations(NeverAgainAction TN,theAmericanMuslimAdvisoryCouncil,BelmontUnitedMethodistChurch,and ConexiónAméricas)totakeactionagainsttheBidenadministration’sproposed asylumbanattheUS-Mexicoborder.Together,weorganizedaseriesoffourevents toeducatecommunitymembersabouttheproposedpolicy,assistthemin submittingpubliccommentstotheFederalRegister,contacttheirfederallegislators, andexpresstheiroppositionthroughart.ThiswasthefirsttimeTNJFONhad organizedin-personadvocacyeventsandinspiredustoprioritizein-person engagementinour2024advocacy.

Inthelastmonthsof2023andbeginningof2024,Senatenegotiatorsattemptedto codifysimilarrestrictionsinfederallawinanexistentialthreattoourasylumsystem. Asfederallegislatorsinboththeexecutiveandlegislativebranchescontinueto attackasylumin2024,wewillbuildontherelationshipswedevelopedin2023to continueadvocatingforasylumaccess.

Publicbenefits:

Atthestatelevel,wemetwithsevenlegislatorstoencouragethemtovoteagainst abillthatwouldprohibitundocumentedindividualsfromresidinginstatesubsidizedhousing.Amongotherdevastatingconsequences,thebillwouldprevent undocumentedstudentsfromlivingoncampusatpubliccollegesinTennessee. Committeesinbothchambersareexpectedtoreviewthebillthisyear.

Atthefederallevel,wejoinedanationalcoalitiontoformallyendorsetheLIFTthe BARAct,apolicythatwouldremoverestrictionspreventingmanylawfullypresent immigrantsfromaccessingsafetynetprogramslikeMedicaid,CHIP,andSNAP. Currentfederalpolicypreventsmanylegalpermanentresidentsfromaccessing thesebenefitsuntiltheyhaveheldtheirgreencardforfiveyearsandprevents othersincludingDACAandTPSrecipientsfromaccessingthematall.Congressional actionisespeciallyimportantforimmigrantslivinginstateslikeTennesseethatdo notusestatefundingtoeliminatethe5-yearbarfortheirownresidents.

Publicsafety:

InourworkrepresentingUvisaandVAWAapplicants,wehavelongseenthe devastatingimpactofgunviolenceonNashville’simmigrantcommunities.Our clientshavesurvivedshootingsathome,atwork,atchurch,atthegrocerystore,in thecar,andcountlessotherplaceswheretheyshouldhavebeensafe.Manyhave lostlovedonesinsenselessactsofviolencehereandintheirhomecountries.

Thisyear,ouradvocacyteamjoinedthousandsofTennesseanstodemand common-senseguncontrolfollowingtheMarch27shootingatCovenantSchool thatleftsevendead.Thoughitwashealingtoseesomanyofourneighborstake collectiveactioninsuchapainfultime,wehaveyettoseepositivepolicychanges. Thestatelegislaturerespondedtotheshootingwith$140millioninfundingtoputa schoolresourceofficerineveryTennesseeschool,ameasurethatendangers immigrant,BIPOC,anddisabledstudents.Werejectanypolicythatcriminalizesour childrenandexposesthemtostate-sanctionedviolenceatschool.In2024and mostlikelyforyearstocome,Tennesseeadvocateswillneedtowrestlewith importantquestionsofwhatitmeanstocreatesafecommunitiesforallandwhat thepaththerelookslike.

Developingourcivicengagement:

In2023wealsotestedcivicengagementstrategiesforthecomingelectionyear. 2023wasabigyearforNashvillevoters,includingtwospecialelectionsforstate representatives,citycouncilelections,andamayoralelectionandrunoff.Thisyear, weco-sponsoredtheImmigrantandRefugeeMayoralForum(withTNImmigrant andRefugeeRightsCoalition),made10postseachonFacebookandInstagramwith votinginformation,senttwoelectionnewsletters,andupliftedworkfromtheEquity AlliancebysharingtheirNashvilleVoterGuide.Ourpostswithelectioninformation wereviewed1,143timesonFacebookand1,022timesonInstagram.Ourtwo newsletterswithelectioninformationwereopened1,226timestotal.Atthe ImmigrantandRefugeeMayoralForum,wewentliveonInstagraminEnglish, Spanish,Dari,andPashtotoreachasmanycommunitiesaspossible.Thisyear,we willcontinuecreatingelectionresourcesincollaborationwithTIRRCandEquity Alliance,aswellasincorporatecivicengagementresourcedistributionintoour regularoutreachevents.

ILJNetwork Roundtable

Thisyear'sImmigrationLawandJusticeNetworkRoundtabletookplaceherein Nashville,allowingourwholeteamtoparticipate!Staff,boardmembers,and volunteersfromILJsitesaroundthecountrycametogethertotalkandlearnabout theimportanceofintersectionalityinourimmigrationjusticework.

Thisyear'sILJRoundtablewasparticularlymeaningfulbecauseIwasaskedto beapanelist.IpresentedaboutTNJFONclinicpartnershipmodelalongsidetwo otherpresenterswhosesitesalsohaduniqueinnovations.Roundtableisalways agreatexperiencesinceit'sarareopportunitytobesurroundedbyindividuals whoarepassionateaboutthesamefight,andIreallyappreciatedgettingthe chancetopresentandgivebacktothiscommunitythatourofficeisapartof.

-AllenKing,StaffAttorney

IalwaysfeelproudtorepresentTNJFON,but attendingtheILJroundtableopeningevents mademefeelevenproudertobeaBoard memberandaNashvillian CouncilwomenZulfat SuaraandTerryVosharedpersonaland professionalremarksabouttheimmigrant experience,theintersectionalityofissuesthat ourclientsface,andthechallenges,compassion andjoythatcomefromservingadiverse communityintheAmericanSouth Afterthese inspiringtalks,wewereregaledwith performancesfromsomeofthebestdrag queensintown.Whatagorgeousactof resistanceandsolidarity!

-EmilyKonouchi,ViceChairoftheBoard

Photo:Localdragqueen BritneyBanksperformingat theroundtablewelcome party.

Connectingwith thecommunity

ByHannahSmalle Advocacyand EducationCoordin

Includingmediaappearanceswereachedanestimated5,000peoplewithour communityoutreachandeducationin2023,anincreaseof52%from2022 About 2,500ofthoseconnectionswereateventsspecificallyaimedatimmigrants,though manyeventsincludedadiversegroupofNashvilleans.12staffmembersand2 volunteersengagedourcommunityateventsinschools,placesofworship, communityorganizations,andlocalbusinesses.Inadditiontoinformationabout ourservices,wesharedKnow-Your-Rightsresourcesatmanyoftheseevents, includingcards,bannerpens,andwaterbottleswithkeyinformationinavarietyof languages.Wealsoincorporatedflyeringintoouroutreachthisyearforthefirst time,distributingmaterialsinninelanguages(English,Spanish,Arabic,Farsi, Vietnamese,Korean,Chinese,Portuguese,andRussian)atbusinesses,busstops, andcommunitycentersinkeyneighborhoodsacrossthecity.

In2023,weexpandedlanguageofferingsforourvirtualversionofFamilies Together,addedresourcesbeyondtheimmigrationlegalfield,andlaidthe groundworkforresumingin-personprogrammingin2024.Webegantheyearwith tenvideosavailableinSpanishfocusedontheimmigrationlegalprocess.Fiveof thosearenowavailableinEnglish,fourinDari,andtwoinPashto.Eachversionof thecoursealsoincludeslinkstodownloadablefactsheetsincludingcollegeaccess FAQs(English,Spanish),Know-Your-RightsforAfghansattheSouthernBorder(Dari, Pashto),andKnow-Your-Rightsforrenters(English,Spanish,Dari,Pashto).

Photo:LuciFernandezandHannahSmalleyatan outreacheventatalocalelementaryschool

OyeVecinoLIVE: Let'sBeginwith OurNames

ByAinethMurguia, AssistantLegalDirector

IrmaHerrera,thisyear’sOyeVecinoLIVEguest,is turnedplaywrightandperformer Herone-woma myOwnName? addressesthemesofidentitya s yh Ns

aterjoinedoneofourstaffmeetings

NashvilletobepartofOyeVecinoLIVE ngtheliverecording,Irmaperformed nethdiscussedherexperiencesasa

civilrightsattorneyandhersecond careerasaplaywright.Irma’s creativeapproachtodifficult conversationsaboutraceand immigrationthroughhercharacters wascleverandentertaining.The skitsshechoseforOyeVecinoLIVE emphasizedtheimportanceofselfreflectionofhowwelcomingweare ofthosewhoaredifferentfromus Inatimethatfeelsmorepolarized thanever,itwasinspiringtohear fromIrmaandrememberwhyour workisimportant.

Photo:Co-hostsAinethMurguiaand AlvaroManriqueBarrenecheawatch IrmaHerreraperformascenefrom herplayduringOyeVecinoLIVE

Ourteam

HashmatullahAzizi LegalClerk

AlvaroMan Barrenec StaffAttor

LuciFernandez Paralegal

BrittanyGiven StaffAttorney

ZoeyHamm Paralegal

JillHoyos Bilingual Administrative Assistant

BethanyJackson LegalDirector

AllenShaoKing StaffAttorney T o

AinethMurg AssistantLegalD

nnahSmalley dvocacyand ationCoordinator

EmilyStott SeniorStaffAtt

EmilyWebb StaffAttorney

MaríaElenaVillalobos Bilingual Administrative Assistant

Appreciatingthe powerof connection ByNaomiPorter, IngramScholar

Believeitornot,Iwasdressedasareindeerforo conversationsatTNJFON.TiredfromalongdayoftravelallthewayfromCalifornia, Ithrewonsomeantlers,hoppedinaLyft,andrushedacrosstowntoMillRidgePark. ImmediatelyuponarrivalIwasgreetedbysmilingparentsandthejoyouslaughter ofkidstrick-or-treating Ifeltrefreshedandreadyforagreateveningofconnection

FeelingabitoverwhelmedbutreadytogettoworkIwillalwaysrememberthe conversationIhadwithafatherofonedaughterabouthistimehereasan immigranttotheUnitedStates.Ilistenedashesharedabouthisstrugglestogeta job,hishopesforhisdaughter’sfuture,andcommitmenttosettingagoodexample ofhardwork WeconnectedoverourloveforCaliforniaandhetoldme,“Tucorazón tellevarálejos,”or,“Yourheartwillgetyoufar.”HeofferedifIeverneededanything thathewouldbearesourceandcookamealforme.IwasstillnewtoNashville, andhiskindnesshelpedmefeellikeIbelongedhere.

OneofthemostvaluableskillsI’velearnedatTNJFONissimplyhowtolisten When welistentooneanotherweareremindedofoursharedhumanity WhenIhadthis conversationitdidn’tmatterwherewewerefromorhowwecametobeatthis communityevent,whatmatteredwasourconnection.ConversationsI’vehadwith prospectiveclientsatcommunityeventsoftenendupbeingaboutmorethanjust immigrationissues.Beingabletoconnectonapersonallevelhasdeepenedmy ownsenseofempathy Conversationslikethosepullyououtofyourself,yourown worries,andgroundyouinthepresentmoment

IstartedworkingwithTNJFONin2023atthebeginningofmyfreshmanyear becauseofmyinterestincommunitydevelopment,immigration,andpolicy. IamanIngramScholaratVanderbilt,aprogramthatallowsstudentstopartner withlocalNashvillenon-profits IwasimmediatelydrawntoTNJFON’smission becauseofthecombinationofadvocacyefforts,understandingtheircommunity’s needs,andprovidingcompassionatecaretothosewhoneeditmost.Myworkat TNJFONbuildsonwhatIamlearningasaHumanandOrganizationalDevelopment andPoliticalScienceMajoratVanderbilt strengtheningmyloveforservice

Inmytimeheresofar,I’vewelcome clientstoWoodbineClinics,transla documentsandvideosfrombetwe SpanishandEnglish,trackedtheim ofTNJFON’sservicesonclients’men health,anddevelopededucationa contentfortheFamiliasUnidaspro IhavealsorepresentedTNJFONat communityevents,helpingspread workandinformthecommunity.I’v beenabletobearesourcetoclass atVanderbiltwhoareconfusedan disheartenedbyourimmigrationp Intheprocess,I’velearnedfirsthan aboutthechallengesimmigrantsf fromnotariofraudtobadpoliciest languagebarriers.

Spanishisnotmyfirstormostfamiliarlanguage,butthroughoutreacheventsand theWoodbineClinics,I’vebeenabletostrengthenmycommunicationand confidence NoDuolingocoursepreporAPSpanishcanprepareyouforreal conversations,especiallyaroundimmigrationlegalese Whenstrugglingto communicateIsometimesfeelanxiousthatmymessageisnotgettingacrossand unpreparedtohandlequestions;Ialsofeeldeterminedtogetananswer.Whilethis sometimesrequirespullingupmySpanishDictionaryapp,oraskingforaclientto repeatthemselvesI’veslowlybeenabletoworkwiththislanguagebarrier.Thishas helpedmeunderstandthefeelingsofstrugglethatthemajorityofclientsfacein theUnitedStates,astomanyofthemEnglishisasforeignasSpanishistome.

In2024,IamcontinuingtovolunteerwithTNJFON Iamexcitedtoworkonpolicy efforts,formcommunitypartnerships,andfurthermyownunderstandingof immigrationjustice.IampassionateaboutbuildingabetterTennesseeand gratefulforTNJFONforgivingmethedirectionandconfidencetocontinuemy publicservicecareer.

Ourinterns

NatalieBurton LegalIntern

JohnnyEpstein LegalIntern

JenniferLoredo UndergraduateIntern

NaomiPorter IngramScholar

AyaSebai Summer Undergraduate Intern

EstelleShaya Summer Undergraduate Intern

Mediahighlights

January

ExecutiveDirectorTessaLemosDelPinoandLegalDirector BethanyJacksonwerequotedinaTennesseeLookoutarticle abouttheurgentneedforimmigrationlegalrepresentationin Tennessee.

alDirectorBethany sonspokewith iJohnstononNews nnel5OpenLine uttheimportance sylumandaccess orkpermits.

May

TNJFONjoinedtheWelcomingNashvilleCoalitioninanop-edin theTennesseanarguingforpublicpoliciestoincreaseaccess toimmigrationlegalrepresentation.

January June

ExecutiveDirectorTessaLemosDel PinoandAdvocacyandEducation CoordinatorHannahSmalleyspoke withOliviaMichaelonNewsChannel 5OpenLineabouttheendofTitle42 andcurrentpoliciesdevastatingour asylumsystem.

Totalclientnumbers

Including951 casesfor650 newclients

Ourclientscamefrom29countries

Afghanistan,Bahamas,Canada,Chile,China,Colombia,CostaRica,Cuba, DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,DominicanRepublic,Ecuador,ElSalvador, Ghana,Guatemala,Haiti,Honduras,Iraq,Japan,Kenya,Mexico,Nicaragua,Nigeria, Peru,SouthAfrica,TrinidadandTobago,Turkey,Ukraine,UnitedStates,Venezuela

224clients receivedwork permits

76clients weregranted permanent formsofrelief

Expenditures

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