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The Haas, Jr. Fund believes that California must lead the way in protecting and advancing the rights of America’s newest residents and ensuring that they have equal opportunities and an equal voice.
Yet, immigrants living in California today face a range of challenges that keep them from participating fully in their communities and the larger society. Racial profiling in law enforcement, a lack of access to education, and meager services in areas from legal aid and citizenship to English-language classes mean that many immigrants are living on the edge and in a state of fear.
The Haas, Jr. Fund is supporting California’s immigrant advocates as they strive to educate the public and their elected representatives about the need for changes in state and local policies. We have three strategies in this work:
- Develop a coordinated approach to public education about the need for immigrant-friendly policies in Sacramento. The Haas, Jr. Fund is working with partners such as the California Immigrant Policy Center to advance a unified approach to public education and outreach on these issues in targeted regions throughout California.
- Strengthen regional coalitions. The Haas, Jr. Fund is supporting grassroots immigrant rights organizations and coalitions so they can work together more effectively on local policy priorities.
- Change the tenor of public discourse on these issues. The Haas, Jr. Fund is leading an effort to develop a statewide communications effort that highlights the positive contributions of immigrants, as well as their growing influence in local and state policy debates.
