Immigrant and Refugee Justice
As Tennessee Republicans have trafficked in racist fearmongering regarding immigrant and refugee communities, Justin has been an unapologetic voice fighting for a more welcoming and inclusive state.
In March 2024, Justin traveled to the US-Mexican border after Governor Bill Lee sent the Tennessee National Guard to aid Governor Abbot in his unconstitutional attempt at militarizing the border. As part of this trip, Justin met immigrants in Reynosa, Mexico waiting to cross the border, worked alongside Team Brownsville to welcome immigrants who had just left the processing facility, and toured the Rio Grande and existing border infrastructure. His trip centered the humanity of those seeking to enter the United States, and the treacherous journey immigrants go through to reach our southern border. He used many of the stories and information gained on the trip to inform his advocacy against the slate of hateful Republican bills scapegoating immigrant communities in Tennessee, and demand immediate action by the Governor to cease his participation in Texas’ Operation Lone Star.
Justin has fought against harmful legislation in the Tennessee House targeting immigrant communities with violations of due process and racial profiling. These included Republican laws that made local police officers and businesses into immigration enforcement. Further, when neo-Nazi’s marched through downtown Nashville in February 2024 chanting, “deport every Mexican, save the white man,” Justin organized a multifaith, mulitracial press conference to call out the hate speech being used by Republicans in the state house and neo-Nazis in the streets. His rapid response created a space for community healing and dialogue, and forced wider conversations about how racist hate speech had been normalized in Tennessee House Republican discourse.
Moreover, Justin has worked towards clearing obstacles to equal citizenship in Tennessee and welcoming immigrants as part of our communities because we all benefit from a more diverse district and entrepreneurial economy. Tennessee is home to immigrants and refugees from across the globe, and that is especially true for House District 52, the most diverse district in Tennessee. As a bold progressive voice in the Tennessee legislature, Justin will continue to be a fierce advocate lifting up the call: “No hate, no fear! Immigrants are welcome here!”
