Immigration in NYC

February 28, 2008 10:22 AM

I would like to be involved with immigrant right group...

I live in NYC and I would like to become involved with immigrant rights here. I have a heavy weekly production schedule, so I was looking for something I could do during the weekends. I feel very strongly about the need to reform the immigration policy, the aid that immigrant families need and many more issues, that I will not go into detail.

I am a native Spanish speaker. Though, not a "real immigrant", I am from PR.

Thanks!!

posted by octomato to society & culture (3 comments total)

Catholic Charities does a lot of great hands on immigrant advocacy work. You definitely do not havce to be Catholic to work with them (as a matter of fact I know a great immigration attorney that works with them (not in NY) who happens to be very open and very strictly atheist and finds no conflict). They are always looking for help translating, taking statements, taking afidavits, etc. They would be worth contacting if you really want to help people first hand as opposed to holding up a sign in hopes it will affect change.
posted by Pollomacho at 10:36 AM on February 28, 2008

In addition to important direct services, check out the New York Immigration Coalition, which does great policy advocacy for immigrant communities. (This link will take you to their "Get Involved" page.)
posted by rdn at 10:44 AM on February 28, 2008

Here's a list of some organizations working on immigration-related issues:

National Immigration Forum – www.immigrationforum.org
HIAS – The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society - www.hias.org
Immigration Voice – www.immigrationvoice.org
American Immigration Law Foundation – www.ailf.org
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services - http://www.lirs.org/
National Immigration Law Center – www.nilc.org
Citizens and Immigrants for Equal Justice – www.ciej.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center – www.ilrc.org
Immigrant Solidarity Network – www.immigrantsolidarity.org
Immigration Equality – www.lgirtf.org
Surviving Spouses Against Deportation – www.ssad.org
posted by crazycanuck at 11:22 AM on February 28, 2008