Taking Action for Immigrant Rights: 10 Ways You Can Help Today

Many people in our communities are rightfully outraged by the recent approach taken against our immigrant neighbors. All people, no matter their citizenship status have a right to be treated with dignity, treated with proper legal protocols, and with a commitment to protecting rights and liberty.  Seeing all the alarming news, it is easy to feel defeated, but each of us can take small actions to make sure our voices are heard.

Many people have asked how to help.  Sharing information and continuously discussing the issues with friends, colleagues, and neighbors does help to keep attention on the things we need to change, and ideas to come up by working together. Websites that have great information to learn more about immigration issues and resources to know your rights are: ILRC https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources and https://findyourally.com/resources/

To help you connect with an organization or group in need, we’ve used a list referred by non-profits (LA Forward) to explore here. The list is by no means exhaustive, but it should serve as a good guide to get you started if you’re looking for ways to help.  And always remember, if you can’t donate your time or skills, or do not live in the area where help is requested, then these organizations can always use financial donations.

International Rescue Committee: Dedicated to helping those affected by humanitarian crises, and built from an organization founded by Albert Einstein, IRC is currently seeking L.A. volunteers for a variety of positions, including a financial coaching volunteer to help refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and sponsors of children; youth mentors for Afghan women; ESL teachers; and employment training volunteers, among other volunteer roles.

Siempre Unidos L.A.: The community outreach group has several programs in L.A., including the Comida Para Todos food and hygiene products program and the Angeles de La Guardia street-vending program. Here is its volunteer intake form.

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project: The social justice organization fights for the rights of vulnerable immigrants, with a focus on those facing deportation from the U.S. Its next information session for potential volunteers is next Wednesday, July 16. Here’s where you can register.

Operation Health Hearts: This SGV-based nonprofit provides food, gifts, hygiene necessities, first aid kits, and other essential care resources to unhoused and vulnerable populations. Check out its calendar and if you want to volunteer, start by clocking on the date you’re available.

CIELO: Dedicated to social justice for L.A.’s Indigenous communities, the female-led nonprofit has recently utilized volunteers to help build and distribute thousands of food boxes for Indigenous families affected by the ICE raids, an effort the organization also organized for victims of January’s fires.

CHIRLA: One of the leading non-profits fighting for immigrant rights, CHIRLA actively seeks volunteers to help serve as security during protests and marches, canvassing for elections and census, tabling for events, calling and texting for ballot initiative support, and other roles.

Legal Aid Foundation of L.A.: Are you a legal mind with more interest in helping society than leasing a Porsche? Our hats off to you. Legal Aid Foundation is dedicated to justice for all, and consistently calls for volunteers for its wide range of projects, clinics, and cases, including attorneys, law school graduates and undergraduate students, paralegals, social workers, translators, and community members dedicated to advocacy and legal services.

Border Angels: Known for its work providing life-saving aid to migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border, including water drops for those attempting a cross, the 39-year-old organization depends on volunteers and has a webpage for volunteer registration on its website.

Immigration Justice Campaign: Offering free legal services to immigrants, IJC seeks “attorneys with any level of immigration law experience–or none at all” as well as interpreters to make phone calls as volunteers. Find the volunteer application here.

East Los Angeles YMCA: A spokesperson tells L.A. TACO this people-driven organization has "been on the frontline. We have confidentiality delivered 2000 groceries & essentials in the last 30 days." It welcomes volunteers for food distribution Monday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as for packing donations for deliveries.

Pomona Economic Opportunity Center: The center has run a day laborers’ site for years and is currently making discreet food deliveries to families in need due to arrests, detentions, and deportations. Explore volunteer opportunities here.

Gente Organizada: This social action group of community organizers, founded by a group of immigrant mothers, works in the Pomona area, for economic justice, social change, and parent and youth organizing. You can look into volunteer opportunities with Gente Organizada right here.

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