TAKE ACTION: Federal and State Immigration Policies

At La Paz Chattanooga, our work is rooted in building communities that are safe, stable, and connected. We believe true public safety does not come from fear, punishment, or harm. It comes from trust, access to resources, and policies that strengthen families.

Federal Immigration Funding

As Congress considers federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), we are hearing growing concern from community members across Tennessee about how current enforcement approaches are affecting families and neighborhoods.

From what we see and hear every day through our direct services, these approaches are undoubtedly not making our communities safer. Instead, increased funding for detention, deportation, and surveillance has intensified fear and instability, which has discouraged families from accessing schools, healthcare, and other essential services that keep communities healthy and resilient.

We are already witnessing the consequences of these federal funding choices in communities across the country. If this path continues, the civil liberties of all people are at risk, regardless of immigration status. The violation of rights for one group weakens protections for everyone.

Tennessee Legislative Session

At the same time, Tennessee’s legislative session began last week, and lawmakers are once again considering numerous anti-immigration bills that would further criminalize immigrant communities, expand collaboration with federal enforcement, and limit access to basic rights and services.

These state-level proposals mirror harmful federal approaches and risk deepening fear and division across Tennessee. As we continually express, policies that target immigrant families do not increase public safety. These policies undermine trust, destabilize households, and harm entire communities, including U.S. citizens and long-time residents.

Our Commitment and Call to Action

La Paz Chattanooga’s role is to support families through case management, basic needs access, and education that improves their quality of life. Our advocacy is in ensuring that the resources and opportunities available to all are accessible to our immigrant community.

For Chattanooga and Tennessee to be safe places for all residents, it is critical that we all make our voices heard to both federal and state officials about how public dollars are spent and what values those investments uphold.

Civic engagement can be respectful, constructive, and powerful. We encourage all Tennesseans to contact their members of Congress regarding federal immigration funding and to stay informed and engaged as anti-immigration bills move through the Tennessee General Assembly.

As always, we will continue listening closely to our community, supporting families navigating complex systems, and working toward policies rooted in care, accountability, and shared safety for all.

CALL TO ACTION

Contact Your Members of Congress

If you would like to share your voice:

• Call your U.S. Senators and Representative and ask them not to increase funding for ICE and harmful detention and deportation practices

• Share your values and concerns as a constituent. Personal messages matter

• Emphasize that community safety comes from stability, trust, and investment in people, not fear

Chattanooga is in Tennessee's Congressional District 3. Our U.S. Representative is Chuck Fleishmann and Tennessee's U.S. Senators are Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty [email] [office info].

Sample Phone Script: Contacting Your Members of Congress

If someone answers:

Hello, my name is ___ and I live in [city], Tennessee. I’m calling as a constituent to share my concerns about federal immigration funding.

I’m asking my member of Congress not to increase funding for ICE and harmful detention or deportation practices. From what I see in my community, these approaches do not make us safer and instead create fear and instability for families.

I hope Congress will focus on policies and investments that strengthen communities, protect due process, and prioritize safety and dignity for everyone.

If you leave a voicemail:

Hello, my name is ___ from [city], Tennessee. I’m calling to ask my member of Congress not to increase funding for ICE and detention or deportation practices that harm families and communities.

I believe community safety comes from trust, stability, and humane policies, and I hope my representative will keep those values in mind when making funding decisions.

Thank you for your time.

Optional short version (for nervous callers):

Hi, my name is ___ from ___, Tennessee. I’m calling as a constituent to ask my member of Congress not to increase funding for ICE. I’m concerned about the impact these policies have on families and community safety. Thank you.

Tennessee State Legislators

As the Tennessee legislative session is now underway, lawmakers are considering multiple bills that would further target immigrant communities, expand harmful enforcement practices, and limit access to basic rights and services. These proposals will have direct and immediate impacts on families and communities across our state.

We urge Tennesseans to contact their State Senator and State Representative and share their concerns about anti-immigration legislation moving through the Tennessee General Assembly.

When reaching out to your state legislators, consider:

• Asking them to oppose anti-immigration bills that criminalize immigrant communities or increase collaboration with federal immigration enforcement

• Emphasizing that these policies do not improve public safety and instead increase fear, family separation, and community instability

• Sharing that strong communities depend on trust, access to services, and policies rooted in dignity and fairness
  

You can find your Tennessee state legislators here.

Phone Script: Contacting Your Tennessee State Legislators

If someone answers:

Hello, my name is ___ and I live in ___, Tennessee. I’m calling as a constituent to share my concerns about immigration-related bills being considered during this legislative session.

I’m asking my legislator to oppose policies that target immigrant families and increase fear and instability in our communities. From what I see locally, these approaches do not improve public safety and instead harm families and weaken trust.

I hope my legislator will support policies that reflect dignity, fairness, and the well-being of all Tennesseans.

If you leave a voicemail:

Hello, my name is ___ from ___, Tennessee. I’m calling to urge my legislator to oppose anti-immigration bills during this legislative session.

I believe our state should prioritize policies that strengthen families and communities, not create fear or division.

Thank you for your time.

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