Supporting Our Communities
Our Current Situation
Many of you may have seen or heard chatter about different executive orders coming out of the Trump administration. As a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of historically underserved communities and commits to freedom from oppression, we are deeply concerned about the president’s actions and monitoring the decisions emerging from the White House. We will always do our best to notify our community of any changes as quickly as possible.
We will also continue to monitor a bill previously introduced that threatened the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations, which did not pass in Congress. This is important because if passed, organizations like AFIRE that advocate for the rights of our diverse communities would be at risk of shutting down.
The immigrant community is no stranger to the activities of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, or I.C.E. Upwards of 270,000 people were deported from the U.S. during fiscal year 2024. The President campaigned on mass deportation and I.C.E. arrests and detainment. The agency is not updating its website regularly, and data transparency is lacking. However, since January 20, I.C.E. has reportedly arrested an estimated 8,200 people. I.C.E. raids have been conducted in various parts of the country, including confirmed activity in Chicago.
What Can Our Communities Expect From AFIRE?
The top three ways we can support and protect one another:
Stay Informed - accurate information is essential
Prepare - we are much more nimble when we have a plan
Communicate - sharing the information works!
Through numerous networks, AFIRE will continue to monitor executive orders and activities that emerge from the White House to the best of our ability. Given how quickly orders are issued and changes made, we know we cannot respond to all of them. However, we will follow the recommendations of large advocacy groups and not comply in advance.
To fortify our funding, we will continue to seek diverse grants and opportunities that provide general operating and programmatic support. We will continue to roll out fundraising campaigns such as the end-of-year giving campaign, and build out new ideas for the upcoming fiscal year, as well! Look for ways to engage in this aspect of our work, as well.
Safety is a priority for all of the Filipinx/a/o communities we engage. AFIRE is working to develop Know Your Rights information and trainings for individuals who may encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or I.C.E. Know Your Rights information is currently available on our website. We are developing safety protocols for events held inside of the building, at actions, and online. An important thing to note is that AFIRE does not provide detainment or deportation defense.
Resources
Many resources are being shared right now. Here are several resources that are helpful tools for our communities at this time.
Know Your Rights Information:
NAKASEC app for Apple and Android - offers numerous languages
Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) - www.icirr.org
Detainment Defense:
ICIRR Family Network Services Hotline - 1-855-435-7693
Organized Communities Against Deportation (OCAD) - www.organizedcommunities.org
Family Services:
Immigrant Family Resource - www.icirr.org/ifrp
Citizenship Application Process:
New Americans Initiative - www.icirr.org/nai
AFIRE Citizenship Support Program - www.afirechicago.org
Legal:
Chicago Consulate General of the Philippines - www.chicagopcg.com
AFIRE Community Resource Directory - www.afirechicago.org/resources
