Why I Oppose Metro Funding of TIRRC

Mayor Freddie O’Connell defends his budget funding for TIRRC: “It’s not a kickback.”

by Megan Podsiedlik, The Pamphleteer, June 6, 2026 - Mayor Freddie O’Connell says the $735,000 included in his budget for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition is simply business as usual. Never mind that the nonprofit also happens to have a 501(c)(4) arm that has engaged with thousands of Nashville voters in support of his candidacy in the past, O’Connell says TIRRC does work that receives bipartisan support.

“It started through ARP requests going to these organizations, and they were the ones that fulfilled the mission here, which is actually to support pathways to citizenship and either the securing of or maintaining legal status for immigrants, which is something that has strong bipartisan support,” said O’Connell during this morning’s media round table. 

“It's not a kickback,” he continued. “Again…we didn't do this new this year. You can go back to multiple Metro budgets. They have been offering these legal services to people in their stakeholder community. TIRRC is not exclusively a political organization. They have a 501(c)(4), but they're a 501(c)(3) as a provider organization.”

Rod's Comment:

 

Why I Oppose Metro Funding of TIRRC 

by Rod Williams, June 6, 2026 - While I have been a severe critic of ICE operations and the Trump administration's approach to immigration, I do not support Metro funding of this organization. It is certainly suspect when the 501(c)4 supports the mayor and then the mayor gives a three-quarter million dollar grant to the 501(c)3. I am never convinced that the wall of separation between the political and the social services arm of the same agencies is not pretty thin. As a practical matter, one cannot separate the two entities. This looks like corruption.

Secondly, the organization is controversial, and those who support immigration enforcement should not be taxed at the local level to support an organization working to thwart immigration enforcement. Immigration policy is a national issue, not a local issue. Those with a passion for this issue should make TIRRC a recipient of their charitable giving, not force others to support the organization through their local taxes. 

Thirdly, Metro does too much. Metro spending should be carefully examined, departments should have an efficiency audit, budgets slashed, and taxes cut. 

And, fourthly, while Metro already has a contentious relationship with the State, why poke the bear? 

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