News
December 2024 | NEWS 2
Tennessee lawmakers push bills targeting illegal immigration by requiring sanctuary city transports, colored driver’s licenses
Advocacy and Education Manager Hannah Smalley spoke to News 2 about two proposed bills in the Tennessee legislature targeting immigrants.
December 2024 | United methodist communications
Couple raises $80K+ for immigrant legal assistance
Longtime supporters Richard and Kathryn Spry were featured in the United Methodist Communications for their Chimes of Justice initiative, which has raised more than $80,000 for Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors over the years.
Richard and Kathryn Spry making art in their stained glass workshop
November 2024 | Nashville Banner
Banner & Company Podcast: Interview with Tessa Lemos Del Pino
Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino spoke to Demetria Kalodimos of the Banner & Company podcast on the importance of immigration legal representation, possible policy changes, and what it means to truly be at home.
November 2024 | WSMV 4
State Rep. pushes to give non-US citizens a different colored driver’s license
Legal Director Emily Stotts talked to Channel 4 News about the latest anti-immigrant legislative proposal in the Tennessee General Assembly. The proposed policy would increase the risk of discrimination and harassment by law enforcement, employers, and others who don’t understand the immigration system.
Legal Director Emily Stotts speaks to WSMV Channel 4.
November 2024 | Nashville banner
Too Young for DACA, Undocumented Tennesseans Face Bleak Future under Next Trump Presidency
Legal Director Emily Stotts spoke to the Nashville Banner about the uncertainty faced by those who nearly qualified for DACA.
October 2024 | Nashville banner
With Election Looming, Tennesseans with DACA Face Uncertain Future
Legal Director Emily Stotts and 2024 Oye Vecino LIVE panelists Carlos Hernandez and Samuel Carrera Miranda discuss legal challenges and limitations to DACA and what it would mean to lose it.
july 2024 | Fox 17
New Tennessee law requires police to report illegal immigrants to federal officials
Education and Advocacy Coordinator Hannah Smalley spoke with Fox News about the new HB2124 law.
June 2024 | Channel 5
Immigration Policy Updates
Legal Director Bethany Jackson and Education and Advocacy Coordinator Hannah Smalley appear on Channel 5 to discuss changes in immigration policy.
June 2024 | Fox
Tennessee sends out thousands of letters to verify citizenship before some can vote
Tennessee Election Commission sent out 14,000 letters to naturalized citizens, drawing concerns from immigrant recipients, including Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbor’s Assistant Legal Director Aineth Murguia.
June 2024 | Channel 5 news
Leadership Nashville announces 2024-25 class
Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino featured in an article on Channel 5 News announcing her appointment to Leadership Nashville’s 2024-2025 class.
may 2024 | Nashville banner
Family Reunions a Lengthy, Painful Process for Afghan Asylum Seekers Nashville law firm Bass, Berry & Sims receives national award for public service
Staff Attorney Allen King is featured in an article by Nashville Banner difficulties of reuniting Afghan Asylum Seekers with their families.
April 2024 | The tennessean
Nashville law firm Bass, Berry & Sims receives national award for public service
TNJFON was featured in The Tennessean as an organization that partnered with Bass, Berry & Sims to obtain asylum for 10 Afghans resettled in Tennessee.
April 2024 | The tennessean
Community members demonstrate, urge governor to veto Tennessee bill on immigration
TNJFON was mentioned in an article published in the Tennessean following a demonstration urging the governor to veto HB 2124.
February 2024 | The tennessean
Latino Tennessee Voices
The Tennessean opinion editor David Plazas mentioned Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino’s comments at an event in response to a neo-Nazi march.
February 2024 | Channel 5 news
Tennessee attorneys are helping an influx of migrants with asylum cases
Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino and Staff Attorney Allen Shao featured on Channel 5 News discussing the influx of migrants entering middle Tennessee and the uptick in Asylum cases.
February 2024 | The tennessean
Interfaith leaders denounce anti-immigration rhetoric after neo-Nazi march in Nashville
Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino is quoted at a conference held in response to a Nazi group that marched through Nashville.
February 2024 | Channel 5 news
What Is Happening at the U.S.-Mexico Border?
Assistant Legal Director Aineth Murguia and Education and Advocacy Coordinator Hannah Smalley answer questions from viewers on Channel 5’s Open Line.
January 2023 | Tennessee Lookout
In Tennessee, need for immigration legal help far outweighs supply
Legal Director Bethany Jackson and Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino were featured in an article discussing the need for immigration legal help.
“Across Tennessee, in both rural and urban areas, demand for immigration legal services far exceeds supply even as the need has grown: there are 2,200 undocumented immigrants for every legal professional at charitable organizations.”
June 2023 | Channel 5 news
Title 42 - Impact on Immigrants in Tennessee
Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino and Advocacy and Education Coordinator Hannah Smalley answer questions from viewers on Channel 5’s Open Line.
May 2023 | the tennessean
As Title 42 ends, Nashville's work to become a truly welcoming city begins
TNJFON and our partners in the Welcoming Nashville Coalition wrote about our work to support Nashville’s immigrants through the end of Title 42 and beyond.
“Recent experiences have taught us that short-term pathways for entry to the US must be met with clear guidance, humane policy, and investment in immigration infrastructure that allows our new neighbors to access legal representation. ”
April 2023 | The tennessean
Demonstrators form a human chain in Nashville to call for gun reform
TNJFON Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino joined demonstrators in Nashville to advocate for gun reform.
January 2023 | Channel 5 news
Immigration Issues: How can we protect those seeking asylum in our democracy?
Legal Director Bethany Jackson appears on Channel 5 News to discuss the importance of providing legal assistance to those seeking asylum in America.
August 2022 | Channel 5 news
Call for help: Afghan asylum-seekers in Middle Tennessee need more attorneys, immigration lawyers
Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbor’s Alvaro Manrique Barrenechea and Immigration Practice Clinic at Vanderbilt Law School’s Karla McKanders appear on Channel 5 News to discuss their partnership pairing local lawyers with asylum-seekers.
““We’ve been reaching out to attorneys who may not specialize in immigration, but may be able to pitch in with training, and with a lot of help from us they can go ahead and represent a family””
Licensed attorneys interested in volunteering for this project should complete this form:
June 2022 | The tennessean
Nashville city leaders' investment in immigrant services keeps families together
Executive Director Tessa Lemos Del Pino is featured as a guest columnist on The Tennessean.
“Access to an immigration attorney is scarce and unevenly distributed across the United States, but it is especially scarce here, in Davidson County. We live in an immigration legal services desert. Investing in immigration legal services is imperative for equitable access to due process.”
June 2022 | Channel 5
Metro Council approves nearly $2M grant to expand immigrant legal services
Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors is featured on a news story about a Metro Council grant to Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors.
June 2022 | the tennessean
Nashville dedicates $4.4M in federal relief funds to legal services for immigrants, tenants
The Tennessean features Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors in an article about a Metro Council grant awarded to the Tennessee Immigration and Refugee Rights Coalition and Tennessee Justice For Our Neighbors.
June 2022 | fox
Historic immigration investment to be announced by Nashville Metro Government
Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors is featured on a news story about a Metro Council grant to Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition and Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors.
June 2022 | MSMV4
Metro Council approves $1.8 million investment for immigration services
Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors is featured on a news story about a Metro Council grant.
april 2022 | wpln news
Welcoming Afghan refugees to Middle Tennessee
WSMV featured Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors on the need for legal help for Afghan Refugees.
March 2022 | the tennessean
Resettling 640 Afghan refugees in Tennessee: How the state is helping
Read the March 22, 2022 article about our efforts to help the Afghan Evacuees resettling in Tennessee.
January 2022 | wsmv 4
New effort to help Afghan refugees coming to Nashville
Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors was featured on WSMV.
june 2021 | vanderbilt university
Allen King named 2021 George Barrett Social Justice Fellow
Allen King was named a 2021 George Barrett Social Justice Fellow, and will serve a fellowship on the legal staff at Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors.
February 2020 | Vanderbilt University
VLS Office of Public Interest partners with Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors to offer immigration intake clinics
Read about our immigration clinic partnership with Vanderbilt University.
September 2020 | wpln
Many Young Immigrants In Tennessee Remain In Legal Limbo Despite U.S. Supreme Court’s DACA Ruling
Many young immigrants in Tennessee remain in legal limbo despite U.S. Supreme Court’s DACA ruling- read or listen to this WPLN interview with our Legal Director, Bethany Jackson.
