skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Don't Come Here: TN Senate Passes Anti-Refugee Resolution

play audio
Play

Wednesday, February 24, 2016   

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Senate this week passed a resolution that directs the state attorney general to sue the federal government over policies surrounding refugee resettlement. Specifically, the resolution alleges the federal government failed to consult with the state on the issue, while mandating the use of state funds.

Eben Cathey, advocacy director for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said the resolution, if passed, sends the wrong message to our national and international neighbors.

"This bill embarrasses Tennessee and makes us seem like an unwelcoming place for people who are fleeing violence and persecution," he said. "This is the most extreme piece of anti-refugee legislation in the nation right now."

The measure now will be taken up by the state House. If passed and the state attorney general declines to file suit, the resolution authorizes the use of state funds to hire independent counsel. Supporters of the resolution say it comes down to the constitutional issue of states' rights.

Immigrant and refugee advocates point to the thorough and lengthy vetting process before individuals are granted access to the United States. Beyond the message the resolution would send to the global community, said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, the idea that individual states can influence immigration and global policy is out of bounds.

"No state has veto power over refugee resettlement," she said. "Refugee resettlement sits within the purview of the federal government. This conversation that's taking place and this effort to say we are going to file a lawsuit to shut down refugee resettlement is just moving in the wrong direction."

Cathey said it's important to remember that the people fleeing Syria and other places fear the same people and ideas that most Americans do.

"I think that's terribly dangerous for Tennessee," he said. "This resolution threatens our national and international reputation as a place that is welcoming of refugees. There's no doubt that in the midst of a global humanitarian crisis where many people are fleeing violence and persecution, this is going to leave a black mark on Tennessee's reputation. "

Both Cathey and Weinberg pointed to Tennessee's long history of providing a safe haven for refugees. The world's largest Kurdish population outside of the Kurdistan region resides in Nashville.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021