Search GCIR
When you are a Black child in Africa, often the narrative is that our dreams are not valid. However, I am a Zambian who was born and raised on the Continent and was exposed to a multitude of experiences ranging from extreme poverty to traveling to several countries before I turned ten, while also being fortunate enough to play with school friends who came from all over the world. These experiences were critical to instilling confidence in me that my dreams were indeed valid and – even though it is perceived that the Western world and global north holds all the power and resources – what we as Africans had was in fact enough to be happy. However, when I moved to America, those common perceptions started to feel very real, while the dreams seemed nearly impossible.
As a Mexican immigrant dedicated to building my career in the philanthropy space, I’m deeply moved and inspired by the Joint Foundation Statement on Immigration organized by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees.
The results of this year’s midterm elections will have an enormous impact in shaping the political landscape for years to come. Join Grantmakers Income Security Taskforce (GIST) for interactive sessions on the outcomes of the 2018 midterm elections.
In an election year when immigration is the top issue in the minds of many voters, these policies exacerbate xenophobic, anti-immigrant, and racist sentiments that further dehumanize and criminalize immigrant and refugee communities while also expanding state powers to detain, deport, and terrorize undocumented individuals. To respond to this moment, organizations are leveraging different strategies–from litigation to organizing–to prevent the implementation of these policies and create a more welcoming country for all.
A week ago, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees issued a powerful joint statement calling on funders to take a stand against President Trump’s executive orders on immigrants and refugees.
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to allow the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to continue. The Court found that the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the program was “arbitrary and capricious” under the Administrative Procedures Act and failed to consider the hardship to DACA recipients. The ruling allows DACA recipients to continue to receive the protections and benefits of the program.
As the daughter of a Chinese-Thai father and a Filipina mother, I struggled with stereotypes of Asian American/Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), including being perceived as a “perpetual foreigner.” When I was in kindergarten, my parents offered me the choice of learning Thai or Tagalog. However, my classmates were already teasing me because of my perceived otherness, and I roundly rejected learning another language because I was “American.” I received compliments about how “well” I spoke English. And questions such as “Where are you from?” followed by “Where are you really from?” when my answer was unsatisfactory for my interrogator, started to trigger me.
GCIR is holding a philanthropy-only rapid response policy call to review the policies created by these executive orders and the short- and long-term implications for immigrant and refugee families. There will be an opportunity to ask experts your questions about these recent announcements.
This two-page infographic looks at the foreign-born population in Texas, including legal status, regions of birth, geographic locations in the state, workforce and economic contributions, and other factors.
Find all program-related materials for the " Federal Immigration Policy Scorecard and Playbook " webinar here, including powerpoints and video message from Sen. Padilla.
Join us to learn more about the intersections between criminal justice and immigration systems, how the criminal justice reform and immigrant rights community are responding, and what funders can do at this critical moment.
The Court’s decision to overturn the Trump administration’s termination of DACA is a monumental victory for nearly 700,000 DACA recipients, who can now continue to safely live, work, and study in the United States. Today’s decision also returns DACA to its initial form and reopens the DACA program to new applicants. All eligible individuals are encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney to apply for, or renew, their DACA immediately.
A Supreme Court decision, anticipated between now and the end of June, will determine the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. While pollsters report that 84% of Americans support DACA across the political spectrum, there is deep concern that repeated blows to our immigration system has desensitized us all to the impact of these decisions. The end of DACA, which advocates are bracing for, will have devastating ripple effects across our communities nationwide, as a legislative solution such as a DREAM Act has yet to be realized.