Immigration can be a high-profile issue but, even when it fades from the headlines, the work to advance immigrant justice never stops. In the face of considerable challenges, advocates are developing new strategies and solutions and are beating back dangerous anti-immigrant policies at all levels of government.
In 2022 GCIR adopted a policy agenda informed by input from immigrant justice movement leaders, GCIR members, and other stakeholders. The agenda aims to address the challenges that deny individuals the freedom to stay, move, work, transform, and thrive, and reflects potential solutions identified by the immigrant justice movement for addressing these challenges.
In this session we will explore four of GCIR’s key policy priorities with experts from the field, including:
- Supporting the rollback of restrictive public charge rule changes made in 2019 and support adoption of the LIFT the BAR Act, which would allow all lawfully present immigrants to access federal programs without discriminatory bars or waiting periods.
- Supporting a legislative solution that secures a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, embedded within a larger legislative solution that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals.
- Supporting passage of Michigan’s Drive SAFE Act (HB 4835), which would allow undocumented state residents to apply for drivers’ licenses, an essential tool for safely accessing employment opportunities and other supports.
- Supporting full funding for the implementation and protection of New York City’s new municipal voting system that restores the right to vote in local elections for legal permanent residents and others lawfully present.
Join us for this session to learn more about the status of each of these policies and what is needed from philanthropy to help secure victories.
Speakers
- Adriana Cadena, MPA, Campaign Manager, Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF)
- Keving Douglas, Direct of National Programs, Grantmakers Concered with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR)
- Greisa Martínez Rosas, Executive Director, United We Dream
- Maria Ibarra-Frayre, Deputy Director, We the People Michigan
- Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
