MEMPHIS, TN – Last night, the Memphis-Shelby County School Board voted unanimously in support of a resolution that would expand bus service to more students across the district within 30 days, and directs the superintendent to conduct a study on the feasibility of the expanded routes long term. This came after nearly a dozen parents, students, alumni, and teachers spoke at the Memphis-Shelby County School Board meeting in support of immigrant families who are currently living in fear of driving their children to and from school. The community demanded expanded bus service that would allow more students to get to school without parents needing to drive in fear.

Sandra Pita, an organizer with TIRRC in Memphis shared, "We were not surprised to hear so many voices in the community speak out in support of our immigrant friends and neighbors. We are also very grateful for the support of the school board that voted in support of protection for our community against this cruel invasion of our city by federal agents sent by the Trump administration. And we will continue to hold the district accountable to ensure students and parents are protected in the long term."

One student shared that his mother had been carrying around her passport because of the fear of being pulled over, questioned, or detained by ICE. "Having to keep your passport on you at all times for fear of being harassed or taken away from the city you already call home is horrifying and this could happen to her or me at any time. In fact it could happen to any child of color or Muslim children here in Shelby County [...] All children have the right to feel safe at school and I believe everyone in this room agrees with that notion." (Video here)

Another local teacher shared the fear her students are facing saying, "Last week one of my student's parents was pulled over, detained, and arrested just outside of my school on the way to pick up his child, and I had to console tell my 4 year old student in tears when his worst fear had just happened." (Video here)

A local teacher, Lucero Amador, shared, "Education is a right every student deserves and they can't access that right when they and their families are living in fear." She shared more stories saying, "Within the past few weeks there has been a lot of fear instilled into our communities, which has affected our students' education. A couple of our families have withdrawn their students and claim they are going back to their countries. [...] Students that do attend are living in fear and confiding to teachers how they feel and what might happen to their families. Expanding the bus service will give families and students a peace of mind." (Video here)

A compilation of statements can be viewed here.


The Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) is a statewide, immigrant and refugee-led collaboration whose mission is to build power, amplify our voices, and organize communities to advocate for our rights in order to build a stronger, more inclusive Tennessee where people of all nationalities, immigration statuses, and racial identities can belong and thrive. Since its founding in 2001, TIRRC has grown from a grassroots network of community leaders into one of the most diverse and effective coalitions of its kind, a model for emerging immigrant rights organizations in the Southeast and throughout the United States.