6 Organizations Helping Immigrants And Refugees
Even though the United States is a land of immigrants, there are a growing number of oppressive government policies that seek to deny people from around the world their place in the country. Fortunately, a myriad of organizations are diligently fighting against such nationalism, providing social, economic, and legal resources to ensure that both immigrants and refugees can be safe and prosper in the US. The organizations included here all strive to make the country a better place by serving these vulnerable populations. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
6 Groups That Support Refugees and Immigrants
| Organization | Mission |
|---|---|
| Freedom for Immigrants | Abolish immigration detention, while ending the isolation of people currently suffering in this profit-driven system |
| No One Left Behind | Support Special Immigrant Visa recipients (SIVs) by providing resources to SIV Ambassadors living in SIV communities throughout the United States |
| Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network | Serve low-income men, women, and children in immigration proceedings, promoting a more humane immigration system, including alternatives to detention |
| Casa Cornelia Law Center | Provide quality legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations, with a primary commitment to indigent persons within the immigrant community in Southern California |
| ReEstablish Richmond | Connect refugees with the right resources so they can exercise their full capabilities as providers, parents, and community members |
| Immigration Advocates Network | Expand access to immigration legal resources and information through collaboration and technology |
What Does It Mean To Be A Refugee?
The Difference Between Refugees And Immigrants
| Refugee | Immigrant | |
|---|---|---|
| Life has been uprooted abruptly | ||
| Visiting home is typically not an option | ||
| Basic needs may be urgently needed | ||
| Arrangements in new country usually made ahead of time | ||
| Personal business is settled before leaving | ||
| Time to prepare for the transition | ||
| Leaving behind family, friends, and home | ||
| Dealing with culture shock | ||
| May need to learn a new language | ||
| Looking for new opportunities |
The Experience of Being in a Detention Center
8 Great Movies About Immigrants & Immigration
- In America (2002)
- Dancer in the Dark (2000)
- An American Rhapsody (2001)
- A Better Life (2011)
- For a Moment, Freedom (2008)
- An American Tail (1986)
- The Visitor (2007)
- America America (1963)
In Depth
The United States has been molded as a country by waves of immigration from when the first colonists arrived. Immigrants have hugely impacted American society, culture, and the economy through their hard work, resilience, and ingenuity. However, the U.S immigration policy is very controversial, with a lot of the debate surrounding the economic impact and humanitarian concerns. Fortunately, there are several organizations dedicated to helping displaced people. In no particular order, here are six groups committed to giving aid to refugees and immigrants settle in the U.S.
Starting at #1, is Freedom for Immigrants, a non-profit based in California that aims to put an end to immigration detention in the United States. The U.S has the oldest immigration system in the world, with the first facility meant to detain undocumented people opened on January 2nd, 1892. The practice has since become a profitable venture for private prisons as the law allows them to work with the government in jailing immigrants. The organization seeks to fight this profit-driven system by exposing the issue as well as establishing strong relationships between local communities and people held in detention centers.
Freedom for Immigrants uses a multifaceted approach to making sure that immigrants are treated with dignity and respect. Advocating for policy change is one of the methods involved and thanks to the organization, 2017 saw California become the first state in the U.S to impose a temporary ban on all new contracts involving immigrant detention between its municipalities and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement . Help keep immigrant families together through pledging your support for the organization.
Freedom for Immigrants uses a multifaceted approach to making sure that immigrants are treated with dignity and respect.
Coming at #2 is the No One Left Behind Organization. NOLB is the first and only association dedicated to honoring wartime allies of the United States for their service to the country. The group assists people from Iraq and Afghanistan who helped protect the lives of American soldiers, relocate to and settle in America. It does this by helping them acquire a Special Immigrant Visa which helps them move and earn a living by working in several American companies such as Uber and Starbucks.
No One Left Behind is also involved in policy advocacy to help take care of people who have sacrificed to serve America. The group has helped pass numerous National Defense and Appropriations bills that have seen over 20,000 Afghan and Iraqi allies acquire visas. Help NOLB continue in its work of recognizing the efforts of brave men and women by making a contribution on its site.
Next up, at #3, is the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization based in Colorado which offers free legal services to families held in immigration detention centers. Since its founding in the early 1990s, RMIAN has dedicated its efforts towards ensuring that immigrant adults and children are accorded due process in the American justice system. For instance, in 2018, the group's lawyers represented a total of 760 detained adults and kids through its Detention and Children's Programs.
For instance, in 2018, the group's lawyers represented a total of 760 detained adults and kids through its Detention and Children's Programs.
In addition, RMIAN runs the Human Trafficking Project that works together with its Detention and Children's Programs to offer support to people identified as survivors of human trafficking. The organization also tries to create awareness about the challenges facing immigration detention through informational presentations to thousands of community members living in Colorado. Support RMIAN sustain its work of protecting children and reuniting families by volunteering as an intern, pro bono attorney, or medical professional.
Arriving at #4, is the Casa Cornelia Law Center, a public interest law firm that offers pro bono legal services to indigent immigrants within San Diego County, California. The organization is a legally independent institution but it operates under the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, an international congregation of women dedicated to public servitude. The center was founded on August 1992, when Ann Durst and Mary Gradon, both members of the Society, visited San Diego and saw that it was the busiest land border crossing on the planet.
The organization is dedicated towards upholding the rights of immigrants seeking asylum in the United States because of political, social, or ethnic persecution from their native countries. Since its founding, more than 15,000 immigrants from countries across the world have sought legal assistance from Casa Cornelia Law Center. Support the group in its work of providing free quality legal services to adults and children through making a contribution on its site.
Support the group in its work of providing free quality legal services to adults and children through making a contribution on its site.
At #5 is ReEstablish Richmond, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping refugees and vulnerable immigrants settle within the Richmond region while sustaining ties to their native culture. It was founded in 2010 by Patrick Braford, who saw that refugees in the particular area were not well equipped with the skills or resources to secure good housing. The group is committed to solving that issue by creating opportunities for the displaced persons and giving them access to services that will help their future.
ReEstablish Richmond is able to provide refugees access to life-building tools through programs specially designed to help the newcomers with certain challenges they might face in their new lives. These potential difficulties include good health, understanding the transport system, learning English, and financial empowerment. To aid the organization and its efforts, consider registering as a volunteer for any of its programs through its site.
Finally, at #6, is the Immigration Advocates Network, a nonprofit organization that works diligently to ensure that immigrants and their allies gain access to the right legal information and resources related to immigration. Founded in 2007 by leading immigrant rights groups, IAN was created with the purpose of ensuring low-income immigrants are able to access justice in addition to strengthening the ability of the organizations dedicated to serving them. The group has been recognized for its work within the legal profession and beyond, winning the Webby Award in 2012 and 2017.
Founded in 2007 by leading immigrant rights groups, IAN was created with the purpose of ensuring low-income immigrants are able to access justice in addition to strengthening the ability of the organizations dedicated to serving them.
IAN has a resource center that provides the advocate community access to trainings and informational materials such as a library and podcasts to serve the immigration legal needs of nonprofits. It also has projects such as Immigo and Oportunidad where strategists and immigration advocates work together to bring the tools of justice closer to immigrant communities that would have struggled to reach them. Make a minimum donation of $25 on its site to help immigrants gain access to free legal resources.
