Top Ten Ways to Make a Difference - Immigration

by Dave Bennion · 2008-10-06 17:47:00 UTC
Topics:

  1. Donate to an organization like Catholic Charities, HIAS, AFSC, or LIRS (or locate a local organization here) that provides direct services to immigrants, such as legal representation, language assistance, or job training.

  2. Educate yourself about the issues surrounding migration.  Find out about migration flows, economic impact of migration, human rights, and migration experiences by country at the Migration Information Source.

  3. Put that new knowledge to good use.  Write a letter to the editor or pitch an op-ed to a local newspaper.  Call or write your congressional representative or senator.

  4. Volunteer at a community-based organization or non-governmental organization that provides services to immigrants and refugees.  Work through Catholic Charities or other organizations to teach citizenship classes or tutor newcomers in English.  Work with the International Rescue Committee to help refugees adjust to life in their new home.  Or even volunteer with No More Deaths to provide humanitarian aid to migrants along the U.S./Mexico border.

  5. Donate to the National Immigrant Bond Fund, which supplements contributions from families of detained migrants to help get them released so they can work with local legal counsel to prepare for hearings in immigration court.  Obtaining legal representation after being moved by the government to a detention facility in another state, sometimes multiple times, is very difficult for imprisoned immigrants of limited means.  100% of money donated by individuals to the fund will be used to pay bonds.  Staff costs and other expenses will be covered by institutional grants.  See here for the interesting backstory.

  6. Look for ways to help ameliorate refugee crises abroad or to help refugees make their way to safety.  Here are some starting points: CARE, Refugees International, and UNHCR.

  7. Get involved online.  Online communities like change.org, the Sanctuary and Global Voices Online are actively discussing global migration and the challenges that transnational movement of people presents.  Learn more, get engaged, chime in-even start your own blog or listserv.

  8. Vote!  Make your preferences on this issue felt by choosing elected officials who share your views and listen to your concerns.

  9. Get friends and family members involved by emailing news items of interest and, more importantly, explaining why this issue matters to you.

  10. March in support of immigrants' rights.  It is a good way to push for legislative change and connect to others in the pro-migrant community.

Dave Bennion
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