Immigrant Rights

Throughout its history, AFSC has stood with immigrants and refugees in the United States and throughout the world. AFSC holds that immigrants offer constructive talent and vital energy to their new country and communities. It supports the rights and dignity of all immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

An immigrant family speaks with AFSC staff

In New Jersey, which ranks fifth among the states in the total number of immigrant residents, many immigrants experience less than adequate access to information and limits to their ability to exercise their rights. The increase in detention of immigrants facing deportation has exacerbated the need for information about legal and human rights. The limited available resources and an increasingly unwelcoming environment create challenges for immigrants in New Jersey. In addition, host communities often experience problems brought by the continually changing dynamics that follow the arrivals of immigrants due to change, uncertainty, and the myths about immigrants perpetuated over decades.

Since 1988, AFSC's Immigrant Rights Program has:

increased the information available to immigrants, service providers and other communities on immigration laws and rights through education and trainings;
increased public awareness of the rights of immigrants and issues of concern to immigrant communities through public speaking and media work;
increased the ability of immigrants to access legal services through the provision of "Know Your Rights" presentations, legal services and referrals;
and increased the leadership and organizational skills of emerging leaders in immigrant communities.

Click here to read more about recent accomplishments. Filling Out Forms at AFSC Immigrant Rights Program

Long Island, New York has hosted an unprecedented number of immigrants in recent decades. The nearly 400,000 foreign-born individuals work in various professions and contribute to the vitality and economies of their communities. Noting the changing demographics and the need to address issues brought about by that change, the AFSC launched work on Long Island in September 2001. AFSC combines education, outreach, and alliance building to strengthen Long Island's communities and to make them more welcoming and supportive for new immigrant groups. A Long Island Directory of Immigrant Services was published in 2006. (pdf 504kb)

AFSC's Immigrant Rights Program, based in Newark, runs an email listserv providing a daily digest of news, regional events, and other information on immigration, refugee, and asylee issues. To view archived messages and/or subscribe to this listserv, Go to: http://list.afsc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/immigrantrightsnynj

AFSC's documentary video, Echando Raices/Taking Root, profiles the experiences of immigrant and refugee communities in California, Texas and Iowa. The video comes with a 65 page discussion guide that offers background information on immigration issues. More information on this video/discussion guide, including information on how to order it, can be found at: http://www.takingroot.org/

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