Immigrants, advocates convene ahead of Trump inauguration

December 12, 2016 at 2:23 p.m. | Updated December 12, 2016 at 2:23 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump speaks in Grand Rapids, Mich. Trump says he’ll reduce the costs of the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, after he takes office. The president-elect tweeted Monday that the “F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.” (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump speaks in Grand Rapids, Mich. Trump says he’ll reduce the costs of the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, after he takes office. The president-elect tweeted Monday that the “F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.” (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - More than 1,000 immigrants and refugee rights leaders are convening in Nashville as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

The National Immigration Integration Conference says it's the largest assembly of its kind since Trump's election.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry was one of 18 big city mayors who signed a letter to Trump urging him to maintain President Obama's protections from deportation for hundreds of thousands of young immigrants.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said whenever the country has created policies on fear of newcomers, it's made terrible mistakes.

Singer Emmylou Harris said it will take hard work to break the negativity of the election.

Carlos Sada, ambassador of Mexico to the United States, will speak Monday afternoon.

Upcoming Events