The new “Belonging Fund” announced by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell to support illegal immigrants was reportedly presented to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) students as a resource by Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle.
Battle directed students to the fund on Monday in response to a letter purportedly written by students concerned about the joint immigration enforcement operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), according to WPLN, which reported about 80 students voiced their concerns in a letter addressed to O’Connell and Battle.
The outlet reported that the letter urged Battle and O’Connell to ban ICE from entering schools and other locations frequented by children, questioning “if Nashville will protect its immigrant community.” It was reportedly authored by an MNPS student who leads a student organization, and”participates in protests at the statehouse,” but asked to be kept anonymous due to fears of being “targeted” by the Trump administration.
Battle offered support to the students responsible for the letter, according to the outlet, which reported that the superintendent, “also highlighted The Belonging Fund.”
The superintendent additionally directed students and their families to the fund in a letter sent last week, according to WSMV 4.
“Additionally, the City of Nashville has partnered with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to establish The Belonging Fund, which provides financial assistance and other support for families directly affected by immigration enforcement,” wrote Battle.
O’Connell announced the fund earlier this month, when the mayor called it a partnership between Nashville and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The mayor and his office have said the fund will provide financial help to immigrants who face “sudden, destabilizing changes,” but will not fund legal aid.
Though members of the public are invited to donate to the fund, O’Connell’s office stated that it was initially funded with more than $30,000 from three nonprofits, including the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), which ICE previously tapped under the Biden administration to facilitate the release of thousands of illegal immigrants into the state.
Battle was previously criticized in a lawsuit, which claimed she attempted to intervene in a discipline case involving her brother, after he allegedly assaulted a parent who was upset with his performance as a coach during a basketball game. The lawsuit claims the superintendent then worked to harm the careers of school officials who declined her attempt to influence the outcome.
Despite no longer being directly employed by the district, The Tennessee Star reported earlier this year that Battle’s brother was present at Antioch High School for the January 22 attack by Solomon Henderson.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
