Photo Credit: Beacon Center – TN & DC Fiscal Policy Institute
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Immigration advocates are pushing for Governor Lee to replace the chair of the subcommittee tasked with reviewing school funding for English Language Learners, claiming he is a promoter of anti-immigration policies.
Raul Lopez, who is Latino, was appointed by Governor Lee. This appointment has the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) up in arms.
The group released a statement last Thursday, denouncing Lopez, saying that he will only cause additional trouble for students.
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“His public support of enhanced deportation enforcement and disregard of immigrant communities continues to wreak tangible harm in Tennessee, tearing families apart and devastating children,” the group said. “His denial of what we truly need, such as in-state tuition for Tennessee students without an immigration status is unacceptable.”
Governor Lee’s office acknowledged the background that Lopez will bring to the committee.
Lopez is the founder of the group Latinos for Tennessee. He is also politically active as the communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party and as executive director of the prison ministry Men of Valor. He is also a member of the board of directors for The Beacon Center, a group that has been vocal in its support of Governor Lee’s school choice measures.
“Raul is a respected leader in Tennessee’s Hispanic community and will bring tremendous value to his role on the committee,” said Laine Arnold, spokesperson for Governor Lee.
TIRRC argues that Lopez is not an adequate representative of the whole Latinx community.
“[Lopez’s] credibility as a serious thought leader is not for him or frankly the Governor to decide on their own, but instead must come from the community he claims to represent,” the group continued in their statement. “If the Department of Education was hoping to find someone who would reduce the chances that a new formula will support immigrant students, then they have found the right person.”
The state Department of Education responded to the group’s complaint on Friday, noting that they are seeking to do what is most beneficial to students.
“We are committed to the process of building robust community engagement, which means inviting all voices and folks to the table,” said spokesperson Victoria Robinson. “In addition to the committees, we have a clear goal to engage the broader public in additional ways the department will be announcing soon. The state is committed to involving all Tennesseans interested in these conversations and doing what is best for our students.”
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
