In the midst of immigrants being detained in unsafe and unsanitary conditions in record numbers, and reports of ICE raids planned across the country, many of us have been asking how we can help. Here are 3 ways you can help immigrants — this weekend and beyond:
1. Know Your Rights & Ensure Others Know Theirs
Immigrants have rights, and many fantastic legal service organizations have published resources to educate immigrants on these rights and prepare them for interactions with ICE. Here are a few of our favorites, and please share and/or suggest others too:
- We Have Rights has videos (with Spanish and other language versions) to explain immigrants’ rights and create emergency plans. Here is the first video, “When ICE is Outside Our Doors” (via the ACLU and Brooklyn Defender Services):
https://medium.com/media/a39bc108c3ed237755aac4e96b522cf9/href
- Language-specific know-your-rights handouts to help families prepare for a possible interaction with ICE, printable red cards and a family preparedness plan (via Immigrant Resource Law Center)
- Know-Your-Rights tutorial videos in both English and in Spanish (via the National Lawyers’ Guild)
2. Donate to legal nonprofits working to protect immigrant rights
There are many fantastic organizations providing free legal representation and other services to detained immigrants and their families. Donations are absolutely vital to increasing their capacity so they can serve more immigrants in need. Here are a few organizations that serve detained immigrants:
- Tahirih Justice Center
- American Civil Liberties Union
- National Immigrant Justice Center
- Immigrant Justice Corps
- KIND (Kids In Need of Defense)
- RAICES
Of course, there are many humanitarian providers working on these issues (for instance, see this national list in the NYTimes), as well as organizations in your community, who would greatly benefit from your support!
3. Volunteer your skills to protect immigrant rights
As Paladin, we know that one of the most valuable ways you can help immigrants is to volunteer pro bono, especially if you are an attorney or have Spanish or indigenous language skills.
If you’re interested in getting involved pro bono, We The Action has a great list of national partners, and if you’re in Chicago, check out the Chicago Bar Foundation’s pro bono portal. We’re here to support if you have any pro bono questions!
team@joinpaladin.com
3 Ways to Help Immigrants this Weekend (and Beyond) was originally published in Paladin on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.