Multiple migrant groups across the country are ramping up advocacy efforts as anti-immigrant sentiment continues to rise during a contentious election year.
Grassroot days of action in support of migrants are scheduled across the country in California, Tennessee and Massachusetts, with the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) National Day of Action set for Thursday. AILA has more than 16,000 members in about 39 chapters throughout the U.S. The theme this year is “Fueling Prosperity for a Stronger America.”
Sofia Rosales-Zeledon, a grassroots advocacy associate at AILA, leads the National Day of Action. She said 300 members will advocate on behalf of their clients in D.C. for immigrant and refugee rights.
“Immigration is at the forefront of all conversations right now, and we have solutions to propose,” she said. “It’s just a matter of having them listen to our experts’ recommendations and solutions.”
There have been unprecedented levels of migration around the world, with migrant encounters at the U.S. southern border reaching historic levels late last year. Current policies and regulations have formed a barrier to asylum “in violation of long-established United States and international refugee norms,” according to AILA.
Congress has been mulling over a bipartisan bill that would change credible fear standards and possibly cap asylum in exchange for aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. A person seeking asylum or who expresses concerns about persecution in their home country for their race, religion and ideologies is subject to an interview screening to determine eligibility, but proposed legislation could raise those standards by taking into consideration the person’s criminal history, how long they have safely lived in their homelands and whether they can relocate.
Among AILA’s recommendations are legislation to ensure efficient and humane processing at the southern border by increasing resources at immigration agencies to allow for timely case management and expanding pathways for employment and citizenship.
AILA is also in support of legislation to address immigrant visa backlogs by eliminating country caps and exempting spouses and minor children from primary applicants’ quotas. It also recommends increased funding for FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program to provide resources to cities accepting new arrivals, more funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement oversight agencies and finding alternatives to detention for people awaiting court hearings.
Other immigrant rights organizations across the country will have their own days of action. More than 150 immigrant and refugee community members across Tennessee will gather on Tuesday at the state legislature for Day on the Hill to protest a “hateful slate of anti-immigrant bills,” such as legislation that would require state police to report undocumented migrants to federal authorities and the state senate’s refusal to pass a law that would have allowed immigrants to legally drive.
The event is hosted by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
“It’s heartening to see,” Rosales-Zeledon said. “Advocates across the board are just a little bit more engaged, passionate and ready to just put in the work.”
On March 28, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) will advocate for language access and internationally-trained physician licensure at the state house during Immigrants’ Day. “Despite legal barriers and an increase in hate towards immigrants and refugees, we continue to move forward together, fostering the courage it takes to fuel change,” MIRA said in a statement.
The California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) will hold its annual Immigrant Day of Action, bringing together hundreds of people across the state on April 16 at the state capitol for migrant rights. The theme is “Our Diversity is Our Power,” which organizers said was a message especially important to uplift this year.
“As our diverse immigrant communities face attacks during this election year, we must take all opportunities to organize, advocate and acknowledge the history, creativity and contributions immigrants make,” CIPC Executive Director Masih Fouladi said in a statement. “Direct engagement with our elected state representatives during Immigrant Day of Action on issues such as health access, food assistance and immigrant legal services is one step in ensuring that our community is heard.”
These efforts come before international days of celebration like World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 29 and the United Nations’ International Migrant Day on Dec. 18.
AILA also endorses legislation to establish an independent immigration court to ensure “fair, unbiased and swift adjudications of immigration cases without political influence.” It also advocates for funds to allow noncitizens without means to receive legal counsel, which increases people’s chances of asylum.
To get involved with AILA, visit their action center or find your local chapter.