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Residents, immigrant advocates urge council to protect families from federal immigration actions
Summary
During public forum, multiple speakers — immigrants, community organizers and service providers — urged the council to take steps to protect immigrant neighbors, increase transparency about local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and expand legal and social supports.
Dozens of speakers filled the council chamber during public forum to press the Knoxville City Council for action or stronger public posture on immigration enforcement and its local impacts.
Speakers included immigrant residents, faith leaders and representatives of Centro Hispano and other service providers who said families in Knoxville are living in fear of detentions and deportations. Several speakers described increased calls for legal help, a rise in mental‑health crises among immigrants and that some families were avoiding public benefits or medical care because they fear immigration consequences.
Centro Hispano director Claudia Caballero told the council her organization has seen referrals and demand for…
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