Resources for Taking Action on Immigration-Related Issues

Friday July 17, 2026

Will you step up and take action?

  • Advocate for national, state, and/or county-level action to advance policies, practices and a culture of belonging for all, including those with immigrant and refugee backgrounds.
  • Help refugees and other immigrants with the challenges of resettling in our communities 
  • Protect immigrant rights

Scroll down for some resources to help you get started.

First, a brief overview on the distinctions between different types of “forced migrants” (as distinct from individuals who came to the U.S. seeking greater economic opportunities, for example): 

  • Refugees are identified prior to their resettlement from displaced settings overseas.
  • Asylum seekers arrive in the US and then request asylum status. People who are in the process of applying for asylum are not technically undocumented, though this administration would like to consider them so.
  • Immigrants of other status are fleeing dangerous situations. 

 

Advocate for national, state and/or county-level action to advance policies, practices and a culture of belonging for all, including those with immigrant and refugee backgrounds.

  • Write letters to your elected officials;
  • Meet with elected officials; and
  • Demonstrate to show resistance to and raise awareness of abusive policies and practices.

Contact your elected officials:

Stay current and learn more about policy changes and their impact:

Other resources:

Contact Richard Macintyre  (macinmaine1@aol.com)  if you are interested in joining the Peace Corps Community for Refugees network of advocates throughout the country and/or receiving regular immigration updates.

 

Help refugees and other immigrants with the challenges of resettling in our communities.

Although few new refugees and other immigrants are entering the U.S. at this time, many immigrant families already here are in need of support to help with their resettlement. This is especially the case because most of the resettlement supports previously provided with federal funding have been terminated. The amount of support available differs among communities because it depends on the amount of state, local and private resources, and  nonprofit and volunteer capacity available. 

See the Peace Corps Community for Refugees’ Welcoming Refugees: A Guide to Volunteer Opportunities for the Peace Corps Community for more information on a wide range of welcoming services that individuals and groups of RPCVs can provide for refugees and other newcomers in their communities.  Also see Peace Corps Community for Refugees newsletters for examples of initiatives undertaken by the Peace Corps Community. 

Sources of more information and training materials on these services:

  • Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States. It provides tools, learning opportunities, research, and technical assistance covering a range of topics related to the newcomer experience.
  • The Refugee Welcome Collective provides online training for community sponsors, staff, and refugees paired with sponsors. However, due to the federal order to suspend offerings funded by U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, some activities are canceled until further notice.
  • Welcome.US developed this interactive map that helps you identify volunteer opportunities at trusted organizations across the country. Just visit the volunteer page, click on the pin near your location on the map, and select a nearby nonprofit to visit their site and explore ways to help. They also just launched a new Citizen Guide program to support aspiring Americans during the final steps toward citizenship.
  • Work with local governments and organizations to advance policies, practices and a culture of belonging for all Americans and immigrants through Welcoming America. Currently, there are about 300 nonprofits and local governments in the US that are doing this work as part of the Welcoming Network. 

 

Protect Immigrant Rights

Immigrant allies can organize, spread information, and advocate for state and local policies that protect immigrant communities. Rather than work on your own, we encourage you to join existing networks in your area and engage in training as a requisite to becoming involved, so as to ensure accuracy in the information that you share, that you make use of established protocols and documents, and that you learn safety measures, especially during protests and other gatherings.

Such efforts can include:

Community-led initiatives

  • Organize community watches: Community members can create patrols to watch for ICE activity and use bullhorns to warn residents, as seen in Chicago and Los Angeles.
  • Create emergency plans: Help community members at risk of deportation prepare emergency plans, including having “Know Your Rights” materials readily available.
  • Form mutual aid networks: Establish mutual aid funds and networks to support families impacted by raids, such as helping with job loss or legal fees.
  • Use legal aid and advocacy: Connect with local groups to understand potential immigration cases and legal rights, as well as to support local efforts to get ICE out of courthouses.
  • Fund Raise:  Using personal social media networks and platforms such as GoFundMe, tell the story of sponsored families and their immediate needs to raise funds that can be used to purchase goods, services, computers, phones, and even support education in pursuit of professional licenses. 

Public awareness and protest

  • Document and publicize raids: Encourage the use of phones to document raids, which can be shared publicly to create outrage and pressure policymakers.
  • Organize protests: Participate in or organize protests to condemn raids and show solidarity. This can include rallies and marches.
  • Spread social media campaigns: Use social media to share messages, graphics, and news about ICE raids to raise awareness and mobilize support for campaigns like “Abolish ICE” or “Keep loved ones together”. 

The National Association for Public Defense highly encourages using the resources offered by organizations such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the Immigrant Advocacy Center, the ACLU’s Immigrant’s Rights Project, the National Immigration Law Center, and the National Immigrant Justice Center. They urge individuals needing assistance to also check with their local public defender office, legal aid office, and ACLU chapter to determine what local resources may be available in your area.

Other resources that can be used to guide your work and educate the community about their rights include:

Communities might consider joining an informal network of communities that call themselves Sanctuary Communities. The idea is that unlike more formal Sanctuary Cities that are being financially threatened by the current administration, private citizens are free to organize themselves as Sanctuary Communities with First Amendment protections as long as they avoid illegal behavior such as interfering with ICE detention or arrests of immigrants.  To learn more about joining the Sanctuary Communities movement, see the We Are Sanctuary Communities website. 

Individuals who are not attorneys can become a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative, which allows them to work at non-profit organizations in the practice of immigration law. Mennonite Central Committee and World Relief are hosting an in-person Basic Immigration Law Training from September 14-18, 2026, in Akron, Pennsylvania. This is a 40-hour course that provides the necessary training for individuals who wish to apply for accreditation from the U.S. Department of Justice. Registration ends August 13.

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