Nashville Mayor’s Budget Proposal Includes $735K For “Pro-Illegal Alien Nonprofit”

Image Credit: Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County / Facebook & Canva

Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –

Democrat Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has pitched a $3.8 billion budget for the city’s next fiscal year, but one of the more provocative line items coming under fire is a proposed distribution of over $700,000 to the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), a nonprofit which aids illegal aliens living in the state.

TIRRC has reportedly received over $3 million in government funding and grants since 2020 and has close ties to the controversial “Belonging Fund” which was launched in 2025 by O’Connell to funnel money to nonprofits which support immigrant communities and partnered with the city last year to provide relief for those “impacted” by ICE operations in the area. 

The organization was also asked by the Biden administration to support the release of aliens into Tennessee’s interior and has expended considerable resources through the last several years fighting immigration-related legislation, defending and protesting on behalf of dangerous illegal aliens, and suing state agencies over immigration enforcement operations.

Unsurprisingly, TIRRC’s affiliated political action committee endorsed O’Connell during his 2023 bid for mayor, who is now in turn proposing to include $735,000 for TIRRC as part of the city’s spending on Recreational, Cultural, Conservation and Community Support.

When asked directly if public money will go to “undocumented immigrants” by Fox 17, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office gave a noncommittal justification saying, “There are hundreds of Metro residents working to adjust or maintain their lawful immigration status or U.S. citizenship. Changes in immigration policy in recent years have only intensified the demand for immigration attorneys and accredited representatives who can provide quality legal assistance at a low cost. These funds are intended to support TIRRC’s work to provide accessible, high-quality legal services, education, and information to support people working to maintain compliance with applicable immigration laws and policies.”

U.S. Senator and gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn said on social media that Tennesseans should be “outraged” that O’Connell wants to use tax dollars to fund “a pro-illegal alien nonprofit”. “I urge the Metro Council to reject this. Anti-ICE groups like TIRRC should not receive a dime of Tennesseans’ hard-earned money,” she wrote.

Congressman Andy Ogles also commented on the proposal, pointing to some questionable conflicts in this usage of public money. “Nashville is giving +$700,000 to the TIRRC, which is currently suing the Tennessee Highway Patrol for enforcing Immigration law. Is Nashville paying the TIRRC to sue state law enforcement?” he asked.

Another post on the topic from Ogles called for O’Connell to be arrested, saying “Aiding and abetting illegal aliens is illegal. Yet the Nashville mayor is sending over $1 million to corrupt NGO’s. $700,000 in taxpayer dollars to the TIRRC and [Tennessee Justice For Our Neighbors] means illegal aliens are getting taxpayer funds to embed in our state, raise our housing prices, steal our benefits, and commit more crime.”

The Metro Council is expected to vote on the budget on June 17.

Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.