Immigration
State to investigate new allegations that Tennessee funeral director continues to exploit grieving immigrant families
A Tennessee funeral director and embalmer who surrendered his licenses early in 2020 after he failed to return bodies to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala for burials has continued to offer funeral services in immigrant communities — and, in at least one recent instance, neglected for months to deliver remains to a grieving family. Roommates and […]
A Tennessee funeral director made promises to immigrant families; he didn’t deliver
Ramy Jadiel Ajualip Primero, the baby in his family, died unexpectedly at just 18 months old. He was rushed to the hospital after experiencing convulsions. A grim prognosis ensued. With no hope for recovery, the boy was taken off life support 15 days later. In shock, Ramy’s parents were certain of one thing: they wanted […]
Director de funerarias hizo promesas a familias inmigrantes y no cumplió
Ramy Jadiel Ajualip Primero, el bebé de su familia, murió inesperadamente con solo 18 meses de edad. Fue trasladado de urgencia al hospital después de sufrir convulsiones. Se produjo un pronóstico sombrío. Sin esperanza de recuperación, el niño fue retirado del soporte vital 15 días después. En estado de shock, los padres de Ramy estaban […]
Fear of law enforcement, communication issues hamper use of 911
For many members of Tennessee’s immigrant communities, calling 911 in an emergency situation is not a viable option, and advocates are working to remove fear of the system and make it more user-friendly. Last year’s police brutality protests and years of anti-immigration policies have strained relations between New Americans and law enforcement officials, and while […]
Biden election gives hope for DACA, immigrant rights organizations
President-elect Joe Biden’s election win renewed hope for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA,) but advocates with immigrant-rights organizations say there will still be many challenges in the next few months. During President Donald Trump’s tenure, DACA applications were closed as the administration sought to roll back the program. Although limited in its […]
Nashville immigrant groups create social media platforms for sharing COVID-19 information
Nashville has a thriving immigrant community with residents speaking more than 130 languages. But that same diversity created challenges for Metro Nashville government officials when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Tennessee in March. Several of Nashville’s established immigrant communities either already had social media platforms or were in the process of developing outlets to be able […]
Immigrants face unique challenges in staving off evictions
For Maria Hernandez, 36, this has been a stressful year. Her husband was deported in February due to domestic abuse and although it was for the best, she hasn’t recovered financially. After months of trying to find work in a pandemic, Hernandez and her six children were about to be evicted, despite a national moratorium […]
First time immigrant voters take pride in making their voices heard
On a rainy Saturday morning, when others slept warm and dry at home, dozens of people stood drenched and cold outside Casa Azafran waiting for their turn to vote. Although very few brought umbrellas, they held their resilience against the rain on their shoulders to participate in this civic duty. For the 2020 presidential elections, […]
Immigrant communities suffer as funeral traditions upended in pandemic
For many members of the immigrant community, sending the body of a loved one back to their native land is an important part of life in the U.S., but the pandemic has complicated an already complex procedure. COVID-19 has been affecting mortuary shipping services, and most international flights to and from the U.S. have been […]
Immigrant rights advocate Mohamed-Shukri Hassan discusses new role with Nashville government
If the pandemic has done anything, it has shown how easily a crisis like COVID-19 can decimate the vulnerable, and Nashville’s growing immigrant community has been no exception. Hispanics and immigrants continue to make up the largest percentage of COVID cases in the area and have had few resources to alleviate the crisis. “I think […]
Immigrant rights group changes leadership as directors step down
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) faces new direction and leadership for the upcoming election as the current directors step down for a new leader. Co-Executive Directors Stephanie Teatro and Lindsey Harris recently announced their leave from TIRRC to make way for a new director, Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus. Tennessee Lookout spoke with Teatro, Harris and […]
Border officials did not follow guidelines on migrant children’s health care, government investigators find
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not consistently followed new guidelines for medical care of migrant children and spent some of the agency’s money designated for “medical care” on unrelated items like printers, speakers and its canine program, according to a new federal investigation. The U.S. Government Accountability Office, an independent “congressional watchdog,” found gaps […]