Immigrant Justice
What does it mean?
Ensuring social, legal, civil & human rights protections for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Fighting exploitation, criminalization and violence towards immigrant communities, while drawing attention to global economic and social conditions that compel individuals to migrate.
Current Grantees: Hispanic Affairs Project, Motus Theater, El Centro Amistad, Companeros
EXAMPLES OF CHANGE:
- 2004 – After 5 years of organizing, Companeros (the first immigrant resource center in the Four Corners region) – WINS a victory when the Durango City Council adopts a resolution that bars city employees, including the police, from asking about immigration status while providing services.
- 2006 – Joining with millions across the country, Chinook grantees lead a coalition to mobilize over 200,000 people in Colorado in a historic march for immigrant rights. The scope and size of these protests, rallies & boycotts make them the most significant event of political activism since the Civil Rights Movement.
- 2010-2012 – After immigrant members of Rights for All People discover that Wells Fargo has large investments in private prisons & immigrant detention centers, they spearhead a campaign to boycott the bank. After 2 years of local & national pressure, Wells Fargo removes 33% of its holdings in the 2nd largest private prison company in the US. Members pledge to continue fighting until Wells Fargo completely divests from these companies.
- 2013 – Global Refugee Center in Greeley has educated over 800 individuals from 30 countries about schools, health care, finance, and civil & human rights.