oye vecino live: framing our future

Join us for our 5th annual fundraising event! Enjoy a compelling panel discussion on immigration and belonging with Oye Vecino Co-Hosts Alvaro Manrique Barrenechea and Aineth Murguia. Panelists include an architect and a construction project manager who are part of the immigrant community building Tennessee.

Check-in and Patron Party begin at 5:00pm. Panel discussion and performance begin at 6:00pm in the theater.

All proceeds from Oye Vecino LIVE will contribute to the Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors mission to provide free or low-cost, compassionate immigration legal representation to immigrants, educate the public about immigration and advocate for immigrant rights.

only + together Nashville refugee conference

TNJFON staff will be presenting and tabling at the sixth annual Only+Together conference on Saturday, September 21, at Woodmont Hills Church.

Why to attend:

1. Help those in need in Nashville.  Learn the rules, exceptions and monitoring for SNAP (food stamps), TNCare, WIC, TANF, RMA, social security, etc. and resource lists and networking efforts.

2. Learn about available programs (career development, education-HiSET and college prep., free/almost free driving permit classes, etc.

3. Information:  what is a refugee/asylee/parolee and how do they get from their country of origin to Nashville?

4. Volunteer:  How does one volunteer to help refugees?

5. Transportation:  The Mayor’s plan, using WEGO (Metro buses), 'permit' driving classes, selection and car maintenance.

6. Food:  light breakfast, snacks/drinks throughout day and an excellent catered lunch for only $25.

7. Meet, mingle and share the excitement with committed volunteers and agency staff helping Nashvilleans in need.

For more information contact Julie Obregon (jobregon@woodmonthills.org) or Andrew Phay (familyphay@gmail.com)

Home is Here: Celebrating 12 Years of DACA

Join TNJFON, DACA recipients, and allies for an evening of food, fun, and storytelling to celebrate 12 years of DACA!

Attendees will hear from speakers discussing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, receive free educational resources about the immigration system, and participate in a collaborative storytelling project about what DACA means to them. Speakers including TNJFON staff and DACA recipients will highlight DACA's history, future, and impact on both a personal and community level.

Light refreshments will be served by Delicias Colombianas RR.

TNJFON has represented DACA recipients in thousands of individual applications since 2012, and we are looking forward to celebrating together as a community!

new americans walk

Join TNJFON, Metropolitan Trustee Erica Gilmore, and our community partners for a 30-minute stroll through our neighborhood! We are excited to celebrate Nashville's immigrant communities, get to know our neighbors, and highlight the importance of walkability and mobility justice in South Nashville.

Cold water will be provided!

World Refugee Day

Please join us for Nashville's free World Refugee Day storytelling event next Thursday, June 20th at 6:00pm at Plaza Mariachi! TNJFON is excited to co-sponsor the event with our community partners.

Since 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted June 20th as World Refugee Day, communities and refugee organizations across the U.S. and in Tennessee have commemorated this day as a day honoring the strength and courage of refugees and encouraging public awareness and support for refugees across the globe.

Join us for this year's annual World Refugee Day for an evening of story-telling and celebration of our refugee communities in Nashville. Five refugees from around the world now living in Nashville will share the stories of their journeys to Tennessee. This is a special opportunity, and we are grateful to our storytellers for their willingness to share with us at this celebratory event.

We'll have complimentary food and drinks for attendees. We hope to see you there!

Yoga Class with Gabe Marrero

Join us on May 3 for a yoga class taught by instructor and TNJFON Board Vice Chair Gabe Marrero! All proceeds from the class will support TNJFON's mission to provide free and low-cost immigration legal representation, educate the community about immigration, and advocate for immigration justice.

Can’t attend this event but still want to support our work? Donate now!

Advocating for Our Immigrant Neighbors

Please join us on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 12:00 to 1:00 for a Continuing Legal Education seminar on Advocating for Our Immigrant Neighbors at the Nashville office of Butler Snow. Attorneys from TN Justice for Our Neighbors will provide an overview of the U.S. immigration system, including how an individual might change his immigration status and the most frequent obstacles to a status change.

The Tennessee Commission has approved this course for up to 1 hour of general CLE credit.

Little Amal Comes to Nashville

Join us on October 5 to welcome Little Amal to Nashville in a free performance hosted by Oz Arts and choreographed by Shabaz Ujima and Thea Jones. Amal, whose name means “hope” in Arabic, is a 12-foot puppet of a refugee child from Syria and has traveled the world searching for a home. Nashville is the latest stop on her 6,000-mile journey across the United States to celebrate immigrant and refugee communities and the hopes they bring to this country. 

Little Amal serves as a moving reminder of the importance of welcoming refugees into our communities. Our clients come from all over the world to seek safety in Nashville, and they deserve the same warm welcome every day. 

Yoga Class with Gabe Marrero

Join us on October 16 for a yoga class taught by instructor and TNJFON Board Secretary Gabe Marrero! All proceeds from the class will support TNJFON's mission to provide free and low-cost immigration legal representation, educate the community about immigration, and advocate for immigration justice.

Can’t attend this event but still want to support our work? Donate now!

Art Show by Mike Mitchell

Join us at USN on November 2 to enjoy art by MNPS teacher and TNJFON supporter Mike Mitchell! All proceeds from this event will support TNJFON's mission to provide free and low-cost immigration legal representation, educate the community about immigration, and advocate for immigration justice.

Can’t attend this event but still want to support our work? Donate now!

oye vecino live: let’s begin with our names

Join us on September 21 for our fourth annual event!

Live from the Main Nashville Public Library, enjoy a compelling panel discussion on immigration and belonging with Oye Vecino Co-Hosts Alvaro Manrique Barrenechea and Aineth Murguia, featuring Irma Herrera.  Her one-woman play Why would I mispronounce my own name? includes a mash-up of personal narrative, stories of belonging, and American history lessons. In addition to the discussion, Irma will perform a few skits from her play. Irma is a former civil rights attorney turned writer then solo performer.  

Panel discussion and performance begin at 5:00pm in the auditorium of the Main Nashville Public Library.

All proceeds from Oye Vecino LIVE will contribute to the Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors mission to provide free or low-cost, compassionate immigration legal services to immigrants, educate the public about issues related to immigration and advocate for immigrant rights. 

• Sponsor, Promoter and Patron Party ticket holders will attend the Patron Party immediately prior to the panel discussion and performance.

• Listener ticket holders will join for the panel discussion and performance portion of the evening.

Students will be admitted for free on the day of the event provided they show their school identification and there is seating capacity.

Can’t attend Oye Vecino LIVE: Let’s Begin with Our Names, but you still want to support this event? You can support our legal services with a donation.

Take action to stop the asylum ban!

On February 23, the Biden administration announced plans for an asylum ban at the US-Mexico border. This policy is illegal and inhumane. Under U.S. law, asylum seekers have the right to seek protection regardless of how they arrived here. The proposed policy would deny that right to all but a few, forcing many to remain in countries where their lives are still in danger. The public has just 30 days to submit comments to the administration before they finalize the policy. 

Join TNJFON and our community partners for a series of in-person and virtual events to encourage participation in the public comment period:

• Sunday, March 19, 9:00am-10:30am at Belmont United Methodist Church - submit public comments, write to legislators, and create art protesting the asylum ban

• Wednesday, March 22, 5pm-7pm at Belmont United Methodist Church - submit public comments, write to legislators, and create art protesting the asylum ban

 RSVP and learn about other opportunities to take action:

OYE VECINO LIVE: HER STORY

Join us on September 22 for our third annual event! 

Live from the Main Nashville Public Library, enjoy an evening a panel discussion on immigration with Oye Vecino Co-Hosts Alvaro Manrique Barrenechea and Aineth Murguia. Attendees will enjoy tunes by The Voice semi-finalist Angie K and a compelling panel discussion with Irma Paz-Bernstein and Rocio Martinez. Panelists will share their personal immigration stories and conduct an open discussion.

All proceeds from Oye Vecino LIVE will contribute to the Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors mission to provide free or low-cost, compassionate immigration legal services to immigrants, educate the public about issues related to immigration and advocate for immigrant rights. 

Buy your tickets today!

All ticket holders can attend the panel discussion and music portion of the evening. Sponsor, Promotor, and Patron ticket holders are also invited to the Patron Party.      

ABOUT OYE VECINO LIVE

In April of 2020, Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors launched Oye Vecino, a Spanish language podcast that seeks to empower immigrant families living in the United States by providing trustworthy and reliable information. At Oye Vecino LIVE, attendees have the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from our immigrant neighbors.

Can’t attend Oye Vecino LIVE: Her Story, but you still want to support this event? You can support our legal services with a donation.

Come Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of DACA with the JFON Network!

Ten years ago—on June 15th, 2012—President Obama signed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Executive Order. It granted immigration relief—protection from deportation—to undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. DACA also provided these young immigrants with authorization to work. Register here to attend this virtual anniversary event.

Immigrant & Refugee School Board Candidate Forum

Join us at 5:30pm on Thursday, June 16th for our TIRRC Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) School Board Candidate Forum at our TIRRC building (3310 Ezell Rd, Nashville, TN 37211). This will be a great opportunity to get to know the candidates, be informed of issues, and vote and advocate for our immigrant and refugee communities.

In order to have an accurate headcount, everyone attending must register here.
Deadline to register is Wednesday, June 21st.

****COVID-19 Protocols****
-To ensure the safety of all participants, a maximum of 150 participants will be allowed. Once all 150 slots have been filled, we will open a waiting list.
-Face masks will be required.

For more information, contact Kosar at kosar@tnimmigrant.org.

Únete a nosotros el Jueves, 16 de Junio, a las 5:30pm para nuestro TIRRC Foro de Candidatos para el Consejo Escolar de las Escuelas Públicas de Metro Nashville (MNPS) en nuestra casa de TIRRC (330 Ezell Rd, Nashville, TN 37211). Esta es una gran oportunidad para conocer a los candidatos, estar informados sobre problemas, votar y abogar por nuestras comunidad inmigrante y de refugiados.

Para tener un recuento exacto, todos los que van a atender deben registrarse aquí.
La fecha límite para registrarse es el Miércoles, 21 de Junio.

****Protocolos de COVID-19****
-Para garantizar la seguridad de todos los participantes, se permitirá un máximo de 150 participantes. Una vez que se hayan llenado las 150 plazas, abriremos una lista de espera.
-Mascarillas serán requeridas

Para más información, contacte a Kosar a Kosar@tnimmigrant.org.

WHAT IS THE BIG PAYBACK?

The Big Payback is hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and is a community giving day that celebrates and supports the life-changing work of Middle Tennessee nonprofits.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

For 24 hours (May 4th at 6 p.m. through May 5th at 6 p.m.), donors can make gifts online to Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors through The Big Payback. Contributions can be amplified by additional incentives, bonuses, and prizes made possible by The Big Payback sponsors through the 24 hours giving window.

How can I help?

Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors has a $20,000 fundraising goal and we need you to meet our goal!

To help,

1. Give online and share through Facebook and Instagram. This is a great opportunity to connect with your friends - even your friends out of state - and share why you support TNJFON.

2. Join our team as a campaigner! If you are interested in helping us raise funds to provide affordable legal services, use your social networking skills to raise money for TNJFON. In 2020, Alvaro rode his bicycle for 50 miles along the Natchez Trace to raise funds. Other examples to make it interactive include a cocktail hour or a movie screening.

   Don’t have a social media account? No worries, one of our most successful fundraisers last year created an online campaign, emailed her friends the link and explained why she is committed to TNJFON.

FREE SEMINAR FOR LAWYERS WHO WANT TO HELP REFUGEES

Ukraine, Afghanistan, Haiti: Refugees in Crisis & How Lawyers Can Help | May 23, 2022 12:00noon

Newly arriving refugee populations – Afghans, Haitians and Ukrainians – are resettling in Nashville and need legal help to establish stability for themselves and their families. This presentation will provide an overview of at-risk populations and the basics of immigration and asylum law needed to take on a case with no prior immigration or asylum experience required. At the end of training, we will provide options to match with a family or individual who has been screened for asylum eligibility and is waiting for representation. This collaborative training is co-hosted by Bass, Berry & Sims; Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors; and the Vanderbilt Immigration Practice Clinic.

Legal Clinic Intake Volunteer Training | Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 9:30am CDT

Please join us on Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 9:30am to 11:30am Central Time for a virtual training for Intake Volunteers.

Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors is partnering with local law schools to train law student volunteers to conduct initial intake interviews of Afghan evacuees arriving in the Nashville area. Karla McKanders, the director of the Vanderbilt Immigration Practice Clinic, and attorneys from Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors will discuss the how the 500+ Afghan individuals and families came to be settled in Nashville, the legal needs of the Afghan evacuees, potential forms of relief available, and best practices for conducting the intake interview. Participants will receive guidance on drafting summary memoranda and preparing the case to refer for pro bono representation.

Presenters:  

Bethany Jackson, Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors Legal Director

Allen Shao King, Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors Staff Attorney, George Barrett Social Justice Fellow

Karla McKanders,  Vanderbilt Immigration Practice Clinic

Link information will be sent after registration.

Asylum 101 for Representing Afghans CLE | January 12, 2022 9am to 11am Central Time

Since the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden Administration reports that 83,000 Afghans have arrived in the US. Approximately, 300 Afghan parolees are resettling to the Nashville area. Many families, fleeing persecution in Afghanistan will qualify for asylum and Pro Bono representation is critical in meeting this need. This free 2 hour CLE offers a broad overview of asylum and the elements of applying for asylum for Afghan asylum-seekers resettling to Nashville.

Speakers:
Arlene Amarante, Lincoln Memorial University, Duncan School of Law
Bethany Jackson, Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors
Karla McKanders, Vanderbilt Immigration Practice Clinic
Deena Sharuk, Senior Legal Advisor to the Commission on Immigration, ABA


The link to attend this virtual webinar will be emailed after registration. Registration closed.

Intake Volunteer Training | November 3, 2021 11:30am to 1:00pm Central Time

Please join us on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 11:30am to 1:00pm Central Time for a virtual training for Intake Clinic Volunteers.

TNJFON Legal Staff will provide an overview of the U.S. immigration system and forms of humanitarian relief; guidance on how to complete the intake clinic questionnaire; and information regarding best practices for interviewing immigrant clients.

Registration closes November 2, 2021.

Oye Vecino LIVE: Making Our Way Home

Join us on September 23 for our second annual event!

Live from East Nashville’s iconic Music Makers Stage at Delgado Guitars, enjoy an evening of live music followed by a panel discussion on immigration in America. Attendees will enjoy tunes by Grammy-award winning Giovanni Rodriguez and a compelling panel discussion with Valentina Harper of Valentina Design, Karla Ruiz of Karla’s Catering and Dr. Alex Jahangir. Panelists will share their personal immigration stories and conduct an open discussion.

All proceeds from Oye Vecino LIVE will contribute to the Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors mission to provide free or low-cost, compassionate immigration legal services to immigrants, educate the public about issues related to immigration and advocate for immigrant rights. 

To protect the health and well-being of our community, this will be a virtual event.

• All ticket holders will receive an email with a link to watch the livestream

• Promoter and Patron Party ticket holders will receive a Patron Party box with goodies to enjoy at home during the event

ABOUT Oye Vecino LIVE

In April of 2020, Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors launched Oye Vecino, a Spanish language podcast that seeks to empower immigrant families living in the United States by providing trustworthy and reliable information. At Oye Vecino LIVE, attendees have the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from our immigrant neighbors. 

Can’t attend Oye Vecino LIVE: Making Our Way Home, but you still want to support this event? You can support our legal services with a donation.

Interested in sponsoring, Oye Vecino LIVE: Making Our Way Home? Please reach out to director@tnjfon.org.

Nashville Public Library and Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors present Films Inspire Civil Conversation: Discussing DaCA

To foster conversations about Nashville’s Community of Many Faces, watch a 10-minute documentary called "She's An American Child," about the lived experiences of a young Dominican Republican student with DACA status and her undocumented mother. Following the screening, don't miss a panel discussion about the parallels this film's message has within our own community and how we can come together as a stronger Nashville.

If you missed the event, you can still watch a replay of the event.

Now Enrolling for Families Together

Continuing Legal Education Seminar

Please join us on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm CDT for a virtual Continuing Legal Education seminar on Advocating for Our Immigrant Neighbors. 

Attorneys from TN Justice for Our Neighbors will provide an overview of the U.S. immigration system, including how an individual might change his immigration status and the most frequent obstacles to a status change. Participants will learn how to screen for potential immigration relief and best practices in representing clients in immigration matters. 

This course has been approved by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education for up to 2.5 hours of credit (2 general and .5 dual). 

Continuing Legal Education Seminar

Please join us on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 2:00 pm for a virtual Continuing Legal Education seminar on Applying for DACA in 2021. 

TN Justice for Our Neighbors staff will provide an overview of the U.S. immigration system; explain the history of the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program, DACA eligibility requirements, and benefits of DACA; discuss how to prepare initial and renewal DACA applications; and address best practices for working with immigrant youth. This free seminar will be offered via Zoom.

This course has been approved by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education for up to 2.5 hours of credit (2 general and .5 dual).